Soon it was discovered that Mixed Zone could have an important role even at a Masters event as a handful of media representatives rounded him for interviews. Once he finished with the locals, was keen to switch to English to share his Masters experience with the FINA website.

“Though I have these injuries, I didn’t want to withdraw” Mr. Leonov said. “I promised to take part and I stuck to this plan as this is a pretty good way to set an example. It’s about doing sport, promoting healthy lifestyle which more and more people do in Kazan. Swimming is one of the best sports you can practice, we have plenty of facilities around and we hope that thanks to these great FINA events we will have more and more young and old coming to the pools.”

 


Minister Leonov in Kazan ©FINA Communication

 

The Masters are still on, but the ‘big championships’ are over so I asked Mr. Leonov for a brief assessment of the previous fortnight.

 

“I think we can be proud of the success of the FINA World Championships here in Kazan. I’ve got only positive feedbacks from the athletes, from the coaches, officials, the FINA leaders and ultimately from the fans. This event has proved again what this country, our beautiful Russia is capable of. We have the resources, we have the facilities, we have the abilities to organise the biggest events in any sports. Russia, Tatarstan and Kazan showed that we could do anything and when we do it, we do it on the highest level.”