At the third leg of the 2016 series of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup, taking place in Moscow on September 3-4, the Hungarian “Iron Lady” Katinka Hosszu made entries for 17 single events. Actually, this is a normal competition schedule for the unstoppable Hosszu. But every time you look at the start lists you wonder how she would do this.

At the opening press conference, Hosszu, who finally captured three gold medals at the Rio Olympics, said that after the two previous SWC legs in Chartres and Berlin she feels herself more and more comfortable and confident on the short course too.

“I enjoy competing on 25m-pool. Although I still need some more time to get used to the short course format. Nevertheless, I have already got very close to my best results on 100m back and 100m IM. My major motivation for now – every single start I will take part in – are the 2020 Olympic Games and of course the FINA Worlds 2017 in Budapest,” Hosszu said.

On attending the Moscow leg, the Magyar star continued: “This is my fifth time in Moscow and I’m always glad to come back here again. The atmosphere in the pool is very special. There are so many kids on the tribunes. Besides, it has a great history”.

Asked about his attitude to the changing of pool format, Chad Le Clos (RSA), who is looking forward to the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Windsor (CAN), next December, confessed: “It’s great to have an opportunity to take part in World cup races right after the Olympics. It’s easy for me to switch from the long course to the short course. But not backwards. I’m not completely satisfied with my performance in Rio. So I would like to show what I’m capable for in 25m-pool”.

Vladimir Morozov of Russia can definitely come around with Le Clos’ words. “For the last two years, I haven’t performed the way I really could. That’s why these two world records on 100m IM I set in Chartres and Berlin give me a lot of self-confidence and inspiration,” he admitted.
 
Hosszu and Morozov lead the overall ranking of the FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup after two stages. The runner-up Alia Atkinson of Jamaica won’t compete in Moscow.

Women
1.    Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 258
2.    Alia Atkinson (JAM) – 121
3.    Jeanette Ottesen (DEN) – 93

Men
1.    Vladimir Morozov (RUS) – 175
2.    Chad Le Clos (RSA) – 123
3.    Philip Heintz (GER) - 102