At the end of a procedure launched more than a year ago, Anastasiia Kirpitchnikova officially obtained French nationality on Friday and could claim a place in the French team for the Worlds organized in Fukuoka next summer.
Anastasiia Kirpitchnikova got the precious sesame. While tennis player Varvara Gracheva is still awaiting naturalization, the swimmer born in Asbest obtained French nationality on Friday. The decree bearing his name was published this Friday in the Official Journal. After having raised the subject at the beginning of the year 2022, the protege of Philippe Lucas for four years has arrived at the end of the obstacle course allowing him to become fully French. As entrusted to RMC Sports National Technical Director Julien Issoulié, “the timing is good”. Indeed, the tricolor selections for the open water events of the world championships, scheduled for July 15 to 30 in Fukuoka, take place this weekend in Martinique. However, it is not yet completely certain that the 22-year-old swimmer can line up at the start. ” There are still a few small steps to take with the International Swimming Federation (WA) but the whole process is underway and it will be smooth until the world championships. “, added Julien Issoulié. But, for Anastasiia Kirpitchnikova to be able to join the French team, above all a document from the Russian Swimming Federation is missing.
#Live #GiantOpen #Swimming
Final A 800m freestyle ladies
🥇Anastasia KIRPITCHNIKOVA 8:28.73
🥈Wonder TUNCEL 8:38.28
🥉Alisia TETTAMANZI 8:46.65
📸 KMSP/S.KEMPINAIRE pic.twitter.com/np5alLAbmd— FFN (@FFNatation) March 19, 2023
Kirpitchnikova will have to earn her place
Which should not be a problem according to the DTN. ” We are lucky to have the support of the Russian Federation, since we warned them more than a year ago that they wanted to change, said Julien Issoulié. They wrote to us again recently to confirm this support so it will fall into place. All documents will be ready for the World Championships. While the exclusion of Russian swimmers since the start of the attack on Ukraine could have made Anastasiia Kirpitchnikova fear missing the next Olympic Games, this naturalization changes everything and will allow the French team to count on a high level swimmer. ” It will strengthen us especially on middle distance events, see also relays, adds Julien Issoulié. She is a very good swimmer who joins the France team. However, there is no question of any preferential treatment. “Like all the others, there will be times to do at the appropriate and expected time, confirms the DTN. She can compete to enter the France team, but before talking about her integration, you must first pass the qualifications, and for that I know that she trains hard with Philippe Lucas in Martigues. After Martinique, the French championships organized in Rennes next June will be the big meeting for Anastasiia Kirpitchnikova.
