Svetlana Romashina
Svetlana Alekseyevna Romashina (Russian: Светлана Алексеевна Ромашина, IPA: [svʲɪˈtɫanə rɐˈmaʂɨnə]; born September 21, 1989) is a former Russian synchronized swimmer who won a total of 41 gold medals while competing in four Olympic Games, seven world championships, and six European championships. She never placed lower than first at any of these events. After winning two golds at the 2020 Summer Olympics, she became the most decorated athlete in the history of her sport.[1][2]
After leading the Russian Olympic Committee squad to victory at the Tokyo Games, Romashina announced the end of her Olympic career.[3][4]
Career
Early career
Born in Moscow, Romashina began training in artistic swimming at age six. At fifteen years old, she won two gold medals in team competition and combo routine at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships.[5]
World Championships
After the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, Romashina became the most awarded athlete in the history of synchronized swimming with 21 gold medals. She surpassed her compatriot, Natalia Ishchenko, who holds 19 gold medals from the World Championships.[6]
Olympic Games
Romashina won four consecutive Olympic gold medals in the team competition at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics.[7][8][9] She also won the duet event at London and Rio de Janeiro with Natalia Ishchenko. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, held in Tokyo in 2021, Romashina partnered with Svetlana Kolesnichenko and won the duet event.[10][11]
Retirement
Romashina announced her retirement from artistic swimming in 2023.
Personal Life
In 2017, Romashina gave birth to her daughter Alexandra.[12]
References
- Adrega, Pedro (4 August 2021). "Romashina, the best ever in Olympic history!". FINA Official website. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- DeMeyer, Tess (7 August 2021). "Svetlana Romashina extends perfect artistic swimming record with ROC team victory". NBC Olympics. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- Dampf, Andrew (7 August 2021). "Romashina says goodbye after her 7th Olympic gold". Associated Press. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- Denyer, Simon (7 August 2021). "A golden farewell to swimming's greatest underwater dancing queen". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- Lies, Elaine (6 August 2021). "Synchronised swimming Russian Romashina aims to go out on golden wave". Reuters. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- "Russian synchro swimmer Romashina sets record in total golds won at World Championships". TASS. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- Adrega, Pedro (7 August 2021). "Romashina & Co unbeaten for gold". FINA Official website. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- "Russian Svetlana Romashina wins 7th gold in artistic swimming". ESPN. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- Shuterland, James (9 August 2021). "Olympic Results Digest: ROC sweeps gold medals in artistic swimming". SwimSwam. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- Morse, Ben (4 August 2021). "Svetlana Romashina wins sixth Olympic gold medal after success in women's duet artistic swimming". CNN World. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- Newberry, Paul (4 August 2021). "Russia's Romashina sets record with 6th Olympic gold". Associated Press. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- Berkeley, Geoff (7 February 2023). "Seven-time Olympic champion Romashina retires from artistic swimming". Inside the Games.