Anastasiia Kirpichnikova has won two titles in a row, and that’s good news for the French team. Because two months ago, the Russian swimmer obtained French naturalization.
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As soon as she can, Anastasiia Kirpichnikova, 22, swims with a flocked cap of the French flag. She settled in 2019 under the sun of Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhone), where she is trained by Philippe Lucas. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, she has done everything to change her nationality and be able to swim without suffering the sanctions against Russian athletes.
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Like all her fellow athletes, she was deprived of international competitions. A period when she “cried a lot“, she assures. But last April, she was naturalized, and her new French passport arrived two weeks ago. “For me, France is my second country. It’s my housesays the swimmer. It’s good if I bring back medals to France!“
French swimming recovers a champion
Anastasiia Kirpichnikova is a middle-distance and long-distance specialist. Sunday, June 11, she won her first title in her new colors, in the 400 meters freestyle, before doing it again the next day, in the 1,500 meters. The swimmer will be able to participate in the Worlds next month, or even think about the 2024 Olympic Games.
She now has real goals, which she has been deprived of since last year. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, it was hard mentally, confides the young woman. Now it’s easier. I have the motivation, it will go!“Anastasiia Kirpichnikova wants to make up for lost time today. An iron will which is above all very good news for French swimming.