To swim
For Vasiliki Alexander, the World Swimming Championships in Doha ended in disappointment on Tuesday. The synchronized swimmer didn’t manage to win a medal in the free program either. The 26-year-old, who had won the preliminary competition, had to settle for sixth place, as in the technical freestyle. However, the Austrian Swimming Association (OSV) officially protested against the result and the ratings.
06.02.2024 19.32
Online since yesterday, 7:32 p.m. (update: yesterday, 9:04 p.m.)
Gold went to Canada’s Jacqueline Simoneau with 264.8207 points. The Greek Evangelia Platanioti (253.2833), who took gold in the technical freestyle, came in second. Alexandri, who won silver twice at the World Championships in Fukuoka in 2023, received 222.8938 points from the jury.
While the competitors increased their level of difficulty in the final, Alexandri went into the final with the same elements so as not to make a mistake due to the increased risk, as in the technical freestyle. However, this plan did not work out as hoped. After a long wait, the score she received initially caused tears and then a lack of understanding for the 26-year-old.
GEPA/Philipp Brem Vasiliki Alexandri was appalled by her rating
Unjustified penalties “an impudence”
“I got penalties on two leg figures. We watched the video and it’s not true, not true at all. It is very clear that I did not do that,” the native Greek was quoted as saying in a press release from the association. “Everyone, even from other countries, saw this and said that it was actually – I would even say – an impudence. That’s why we protested.”
The hope that the protest will be successful is alive. “As we saw in the duet with Italy, who also protested, the results have still changed,” said Alexandri, who was quite satisfied with her performance. “I’m happy with how I swam.”
