Bolognani: Cavic, Higl, Lendjer & Siladji, what a great poker

Just two hours before the start of the tennis match at the O2 Arena in London (Djokovic vs. Davidenko) - Grand slam London 2009, we concluded a great interview (via direct link between London and Trento), one might say an exclusive one for the Swim Star Web Portal. Mr.Walter Bolognani, Head Coach of the Italian Junior team, the venerable President of the Rari Nantes Swim Club (Italy), for many years Director of the former famous European Swim Meet Trento (Italy), member of the coach staff of the Italian Olympic teams at three Olympic Games, one of the chives of the NuotopuntoIT (the most respectable European web swim portal); I have to say also, one of our greatest friends ever. Expressing our huge gratitude for the time he spent in the moment, let me consign him something personal - "Walter, I still owe you so much". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nekih dva sata pred pocetak teniskog meca Djokovic -Davidenko u O2 Areni u okviru poslednjeg Grand Slam turnira London 2009 okoncali smo jedan veliki intervju (direktnim linkom izmedju Londona i Trenta), neko bi rekao jednog ekskluzivnog razgovora specijano za Swim Star Web Portal. G-din Walter Bolognani, sef struke juniorske reprezentacije Italije, dugogodisni predsednik poznatog italijanskog plivackog kluba Rari Nates Trento, na tri olimpijade clan strucnog staba FIN-a (Italijanske nacionalne plivacke federacije), jedan od glavnih poslenika NuotopuntoIt-a (najpoznatijeg Evropskog plivackog web portala). Moram takodje da kazem i jedan od nasih najvecih prijatelja. Izrazavajuci nasu ogromnu zahvalnost za vreme koje je posvetio ovom razgovoru, dozvolite mi i jednu licnu poruku: "Walter, jos uvek sam tvoj duznik"...

After we briefly presented one  great Italian, European and the World swim person, also huge friend of ours, on behalf of our big swim audience, we would like to wish him warm welcome to our portal... Nakon sto smo kratko predstavili jednog velikog Italijanskog i Evropskog plivackog poslenika, u ime naseg plivackog auditorijuma pozeleli bismo mu zaista toplu dobrodoslicu na nas portal..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  Thank you very much, it’s my pleasure to have the opportunity to be in touch with you and have this chance to have a spot on your great website, real landmark for Balkan and world swimming. Bolognani:  Hvala vam puno, meni je zagovoljstvo da sam dobio mogucnost da budem u kontaktu sa vama i koristim priliku da pohvalim vas sjajni web sajt, simbol Balkanskog i svetskog plivanja.

As the Italian National Championships have recently concluded in Riccione, and the fact that you're the Head Coach of the Italian Junior team, tell us your first impression on the present achievements of the Italian "new swim stars"... Pošto se Italijansko drzavno prvenstvo nedavno završilo u gradu Ricone, kao i činjenica da si ti glavni trener Italijanske juniorske reprezentacije, reci nam tvoje prve utiske o postignutim uspesima Italijanskih ''novih plivackih zvezda''. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  I think we have to be satisfied about this autumn event. The best stage where to discover new talented guys showed me that our Nation offers a “non-stop production”. One among many, I want to indicate a girl, breaststroker, born in 1994 and winner on 50 and 100. Moreover, in many events the juniors (or former juniors, competing last summer at the Euro Juniors Championships in Prague) caught medals and achieved good results competing at the same level of the senior champions. The progression still continues and the expectations for the future are encouraging, even if I know that the historical success of 2009 in Prague (30 medals) has to remain something to remember and not an habit. Bolognani:  Mislim da mozemo biti zadovoljni sa jesenjim takmicenjem. Drzavno prvenstvo mi je dalo dobar uvid u talentovane plivace i pokazalo da nacionalni tim ima "non-stop produkciju". Jedan od mnogih koje cu da izdovjim jeste prsašica 94-to godiste pobednik na 50 i 100 prsno. Takodje, na  mnogim juniorskim takmicenjima (clanica nacionalnog tima koji je ucestvovavo na letošnjem Prvenstvu Evrope u Pragu) osvajala je medalje i ostvarivala dobre rezultate plivajuci na istom nivou i na seniorskom drzavnom prvenstvu. Napredak se nastavlja i ocekivanja za buducnost su ohrabrujuca, iako znam da istorijski uspesi postignuti 2009 godine u Pragu (30 medalja) ce ostati nešto posebno za pamcenje, a nikako kao navika u buducnosti. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Leaded by its Coach Walter Bolognani - Italian Junior Team at the last European Junior Championships Prague 2009

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Also, can you tell us something due to great results set in senior concurrence (NR of Beni in 200 fly in 1'53"72, Gemo in 200 back, Filippi in 800 free, Colbertaldo in 400 and 1500 free, etc.), regarding the Istanbul 2009 (Euro SC Champs). What do you think who will be able to reach medals in Turkey? Mozeš li nam reci nešto vezano za sjajne rezultate u seniorskoj konkurenciji (NR Benija na 200 delfin 1:53.72, Gemo na 200 ledjno, Filipi na 800, Kolbertalda na 400 i 1500 slobodno, itd.), vezano za Istanbul 2009.  Sta misliš, ko ce biti u prilici da se domogne medalja u Turskoj? --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Bolognani: 24 versus 9 are the events where the result was better in Riccione then last year in Genova. Less National Records, but I don’t think this has a particular meaning (don’t forget that some of our top stars weren’t on the blocks in Riccione such as Pellegrini, Rosolino, Facci etc.). The medals-hunt in Istanbul is now open and certainly the name you indicated are surely among the podium pretenders but I’ll add here and let me spend the name of Marco Orsi, who gained gold on 50 and 100 free, the shortest sprint (50) should have him battling for a medal. Former world champion Magnini, the Sicilian Gianluca Maglia and EU junior champion, breaststroker Scarcella, are other names to note. As Italian, of course I hope more, as a coach I can add the information that Filippi, Colbertaldo and other weren’t in the best shape in Riccione. It should mean that we can bet a coin on these names. Bolognani: Imali smo 9 od 24 trke gde su rezultati bili bolji u Rićoneu nego u prošle godine u Djenovi. Manje drzavnih rekorada, ali ja ne mislim da ovo ima nekog posebnog znacenja (ne zaboravite da neki od naših najboljih zvezda nisu bili na startnim blokovima u Riconeu: Pelegrini, Rosolino, Faci, itd.). Lov na medalje u Istanbulu je otvoren i zasigurno imena koja si spomenuo su zasigurno medju mogucim plivacima na pobednickom postolju, ali ja cu dopisati na gore spomenute i ime Marko Orsi koji je uzeo zlato na 50 i 100 slobodno, pa ce na najkracem sprintu (50 slobodno) biti borbe za medalju. Nekadašnja svetska šampionka Magnini, sicilijanka Djanluka Maglia i Evropska juniorska prvakinja na prsnom Scarcelia su još neka imena koja treba dopisati. Kao Italijan naravno nadam se i vecem uspehu, a kao trener mogu dodati informaciju da Filipi, Kolbertaldo i drugi nisu bili u naj formi u Riconeu. To bi trebalo da znaci da se mozemo kladiti i na ova imena.  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.Bolognani - FIN awards for the National Junior Team's accomplishments in 2008...

As you are also expert for the European and the world swimming, how do you see the flood of the new World Records at the recently finished FINA World Cup series? Pošto si takodje i ekspert za Evropsko i svetsko plivanje, kako vidiš poplavu novih svetskih rekorada na nedavno završenom FINA svetskom kupu? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  Many swimmers didn’t have a real chance to swim during spring in short pool in a top shape with the new high-tech bodysuits. This is the main reason of the unbelievable (and let me add comical and funny) number of world and continental marks swam by these guys. I want to underline that many could finalize the training for short course events only in this part of the year. Moreover some more money in their pocket is not a bad motivation (FINA money prize for any world record set in a World Cup leg). Bolognani:  Mnogi plivaci nisu imali pravu priliku da plivaju tokom proleca u kratkim bazenima u najboljoj formi sa modernim plivackim odelima. Ovo je glavni razlog neverovatnog (i dozvolite mi da kazem komicnog i smešnog) broja svetskih i kontinentalnih vremena isplivana od ovih takmicara. Zelim da podvucem da mnogi mogu da završe trening ciklus za male bazene u ovom delu sezone. Takodje, neki i sa više novca u dzepu, nije loša motivacija (FINA dodeljuje novcane nagrade za svaki postavljeni svetski rekord na Svetskom kupu).

The FINA decision on the polyurethane costumes and the "new look" of the swim wears starting January 1st, 2010, might hold back the new world records for the long time. How do you see that from the aspect of sport ethics? Is the swim costume a crucial factor for many records set so far? Odluka FINA o poliuretnskim kostimima i novom izgledu plivackih odela od 1. Januara 2010 godine moze otezati nove svetske rekorde za duzi period. Kako ti vidiš ovo pitanje sa strane sportske etike? Da li je plivacki kostim krucijalni faktor pri obaranju mnogih svetskih rekorda do sad?.. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  The “original sin” was made at the beginning of 2008 introducing the new enhancing-performance bodysuits. The meaning of “fabric” (textile till 2007 and NON-textile from 2008 …. Don’t know in your language, but in Italian we have one word and one meaning without misunderstand) was the greatest mistake ever made following a show-business trend which had the only result of damaging (ethically speaking, as you ask) the real perception of our discipline. I had many other considerations about the fact that worldwide many newspapers had a great chance to write a lot more about our sport, giving a great popularity to swimming. But this has nothing to do and share with my meaning of SWIMMING.  Bolognani:  ''Pravi greh'' je napravljen još na pocetku 2008 godine kada je prezentovana nova unapredjujuca performansa plivackih odela. Pogrešno tumacenje reci ''tekstil'' do 2007 i "ne-tekstil" od 2008 je bila najveca greška ikada napravljena nakon šou-biznis trenda koji je imao razarajuci efekat (govoreci sa eticke strane, na cemi ti insistiras) na istinsku percepciju našeg sporta. Imao sam prilike da spoznam mnoga druga mišljenja a širom sveta novine su imale mnogo više prilika da pišu više o našem sportu, i time znatno podizu popularnost plivanju. Ali ovo nema ništa zajednicko sa tim što se po mom misljenju moze podvesti pod znacenjem reci PLIVANjE.

Regarding the popularization of the swimming sport, many new competitions in Italy, as well as in Europe have appeared in last two years. Do you think swimming got better media position among sports then before? .Vezano za popularizaciju plivackog sporta, mnoga nova takmicenja u Italiji kao i u Evropi su se pojavila u poslednje dve godine. Da li misliš da je plivanje dobilo bolju medijsku poziciju medju drugim sportovima u odnosu na raniji period? --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Bolognani: Yes, it can be. However we don’t have to forget that Beijing 2008 and the Chinese Olympics were the best engine for it, as well Phelps’ exploit, Manaudou gossip, Kitajima’s chance to double Olympic gold on 100 and 200 breast, the opportunity for Africa to catch it’s first gold ever.. So, all the continents had one or many reasons to follow the swimming “saga”. Swimming is not a discipline for a few anymore; the number of swimmers is increasing in exponential manner. Also culture and knowledge of swimming is now spread out in our planet, isn’t a legacy for “selected” is a common habit and automatically it stimulate much more interest. Anyway the equation, more events = more popularity doesn’t exist. Bolognani:  Da, moze biti. Ali, mi nesmemo zaboraviti Peking 2008 i da su te Kineske Olimpijske igre bile najbolji motor za to, kao i Felpsovi rezultati, tracevi oko Manaudou, šansa Kitadzime da bude osvajac  dve zlatne medalje na Olimpijadi, prvak na 100 i 200 prsno, dalje, šansa za Afriku da uzme svoje prvo zlato ikada.. Tako da su svi kontineti imali jedan ili više razloga da prate plivacku 'sagu'. Plivanje nije sport za privilegovane, broj plivaca se povecava u smislu. Takodje, kultura i svest plivanja se širi našom planetom, pa to više nije sport za izabrane i to upravo stimuliše više interesovanja. Bilo kako bilo, jednacina više plivackih takmicenja = sve više popularnosti za taj sport, ne postoji. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- G.Touretski and W.Bolognani at the NuotopuntoIT's workshop in Italy in 2005...

Leaded Italian national team, you've been in Belgrade for the European Junior Champs 2008. Do you have any plans about bringing your top swimmers for any future meet in Serbia in the near future?  Predvodeci Italijanski tim ti si bio u Beogradu na Evropskom juniorskom prvenstvu 2008 godine. Da li imaš neke planove vezane za dovodjenje najboljih plivaca u bliskoj buducnosti na takmicenja u Srbiji?... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  I think that competitions are one of the best manners to complete the training path. I get some invitations every month from abroad but it’s not that easy to afford and plan new participation in foreign countries. However I’m linked to Serbia for strong personal reasons and I’m looking to new invitation from your country with interest. Hope to be able to come again there, swimming in a great facility like Tasmajdan in Belgrade for instance. Bolognani:  Mislim da su takmicenja najbolji nacin da se zaokruzi plivavki trenazni ciklus. Dobijam pozive svakog meseca iz inostranstva ali nije lako priuštiti i planirati nova takmivenja u stranim zemljama. Ali, za Srbiju me vezu privatni razlozi i nadam se novim pozivima u vašu zemlju sa velikim išcekivanjem. Nadam se da cu ponovo doci, recimo u plivavki centar kao što je Tašmajdan u Beogradu na primer.

As we have met each other for the first time at the famous Trento Euro Meet in 1999 (in the time of terrible NATO aggression on Serbia began - March 24, 1999), I still keep a great memory on the pool in Trento, with more then 1,000 European swim talents from more then 30 countries, and your fantastic host. Is there any plan for turning back to that competition?  Pošto smo se po prvi put sreli na poznatom Trento Evropskom takmicenju daleke 1999 godine (u vreme pocetka uzasnog NATO bombardovanja Srbije – 24. marta,1999), još uvek cuvam lepe uspomene na bazen u Trentu sa preko 1.000 evropskih plivackih talenata iz preko 30 zemalja, i naravno tvoju sjajnu dobrodošlicu. Da li ima nekih planova za povratak tog takmicenja? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  Great old times those! No plan and no idea to re-schedule the Trento meet in swimming calendar. A decade ago, in my hometown changed suddenly and only following political and very disputable reasons the way to manage swimming pools and public facilities. At that time the result for me and my colleagues was to remain unemployed. Luckily I had great chances in the following years given by the Italian Federation and now my job is really satisfying. I’m conscious that “never say never”, but at the moment I don’t see any reasonable chance to re-introduce that amazing event. Politics killed competitive swimming in Trento, that’s the fact. Bolognani:  Stara dobra vemena! Nema plana niti ideje da ponovo uvrstimo Trento takmicenje u plivacki kalendar. Pre deceniju, u mom rodnom gradu su se odjednom desile nagle promene i nakon politickih i veoma problematicnih razloga vodjenja bazena i javnih objekata koje su u to vreme rezultirale da ja i moje kolege ostanemo nezaposleni. Srecom, imao sam veliku šansu pruzenu narednih nekoliko godina od strane Plivackog saveza Italije i moj posao je sada zadovoljavajuci. Svestan sam da nikad ne treba reci nikad, ali u ovom momentu ne vidim razlog za povratak tog nekad fantasticnog takmicenja. Politika je ubila takmicarsko plivanje u Trentu i to je cinjenica.

Italian swimming have lost Alberto Castagnetti, legendary coach and a man who did a huge job for the national swimming development? How do you see the future steps with the new coach Morini up to London 2012? Italijansko plivanje je izgubilo Alberta Kastanjetija, legendarnog trenera i coveka koji je dao veliki doprinos za nacionalni plivacki razvoj. Kako vidiš buduce korake sa novim trenerom Morinijem do Londona 2012?... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  We are still dramatically wounded and believe me. It’s difficult to figure the next future without Alberto. We, as member of the national staff are planning in the best way we can. Morini and other national coaches are surely unquestioned great trainers and persons. With the coordination of ing. Saini and prof. Bonifazi and the support of the whole federation we are sure to follow Alberto’s path to London 2012. The shock was and is unspeakable, but the top swimmers have the complete confidence in the coaching staff. Step by step, Italy will work hard and conscious of the difficulties, with a strong will to remain one of the important swimming nations in Europe and in the World. We will do it for all the licensed to the National Federation, for the supporters and for Alberto. Bolognani:  Mi smo još uvek dramatično pogodjeni i veruj mi veoma je teško precizirati buducnost bez Alberta. Mi, kao clanovi drzavnog tima planiramo najbolje što mozemo u ovom trenutku. Morini i drugi treneri nacionalnih selekcija su bez sumnje veliki treneri i licnosti. Uz koordinaciju inz.Sainija i prof.Bonifacija i uz podršku cele plivacke federacije sigurno cemo nastaviti Albertov put do Londona 2012 godine. Šok je još uvek prisutan, ali vrhunski plivaci moraju da stekno novo samopouzdanje u trenerski tim. Korak po korak, Italija ce raditi vredno i svesno teškoca, sa jakom zeljom da i nadalje ostane jedna od najbitnijih plivackih nacija u Evropi i svetu. Mi cemo uraditi sve za našu reprezentaciju, navijace i za našeg Alberta.

We are sure that you are quite well aware of the situation in Serbian swimming sport. With a few of our top swimmers and coaches you have had  personal contacts. Tell us how do you see our swimmers in London 2012 - Ivan Lendjer, Caba Siladji, Nadja Higl, and of course Mike Cavic? Sigurni smo da si veoma dobro upucen u situaciju u plivackom sportu Srbije. Sa naših nekoliko najboljih plivaca i trenera imao si i lične kontakte. Reci nam kako vidiš naše plivace do i u Londonu 2012 – Ivana Lendjera, Cabu Siladjija, Nadju Higl, i naravno Milorada Cavica? --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  Let’s say: what a great POKER! I saw all of them swimming in some different international events and I think that they have good chances (but your country is famous to have athletes who can find enormous motivations in the topic moments of the season). All of them deserve a significant spot in London 2012. Let me add Lendjer is young power and talent, a physical bomb ready to explode. Siladji, cute and clever. About Higl …. those who thought that Universiade at home was the top goal of her career, from now on have to fight against her quality. Her problem is only one, she isn't an outsider anymore, and she’ll live with it and be able to afford the pressure.  Cavic …. What can I say to a guy who swam under 50 seconds on 100 fly and got only silver in a World Championship!! Go for the gold in London, you deserve it and nice to know you have chosen Italy for some period of your seasonal work with my friend Andrea Di Nino. Bolognani: Hajde da kazemo: kakva poker partija! Video sam ih sve kako plivaju na razlicitim internacionalnim takmicenjima i mislim da imaju dobre šanse (takmicari iz vaše zemlje su poznati da crpe veliku motivaciju u najbitnijim momentima u sezoni). Svi oni zasluzuju posebno mesto u Londonu 2012. Dozvolite mi da dodam da je Lendjer mlada snaga i talenat, fizicka tempirana bomba koja može da ekslodira u svakom trenutku, Siladji simpatican i pametan. O Nadji Higl..,, oni koji su mislili da je Univerzijada kod kuce bila kruna njene karijere, od sad ce morati da se bore protiv njenih kvaliteta. Njen problem je jedan, ona nije više autsajder, i morace da zivi sa tim pritiskom. Cavic.. Šta mogu da kazem o plivacu koji pliva ispod 50 sekundi 100 delfin i osvaja samo srebrnu medalju na Svetskom prvenstvu! Idi na zlato u Londonu, zaslužio si, i lepo je znati da si izabrao Italiju za neki period pripremnog ciklusa sa mojim prijateljem Andreom Di Ninom. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- W.Bolognani and S.Filipovic at the World Junior Champs Monterrey Mexico 2008...

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Thank you for being with us this moment and all those years behind. And many thanks for real and deep friendships for more then 10 years. Would you like to send greetings to someone in Serbia? Hvala ti puno sto si sa nama u ovom trenutku, ali i svih potonjih godina. I puno hvala za iskreno i duboko prijateljstvo koje traje vec vise od 10 godina. Imas li potrebu da pozdravis nekoga u Srbiji?... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bolognani:  I’m proud to have the chance to know, share emotions and real deep feelings with Goran and Igor Rasula, who always have a particular place in my heart. A great hug to Sergio Filipovic as well, competent coach and good friend too. Ciao Serbia, keep in touch and thanks again. Bolognani:  Zaista sam ponosan sto sam dobio priliku da podelim emocije i zaista duboka osecanja sa Goranom i Igorom Rasula, koji oduvek imaju posebno mesto u mom srcu. Veliki pozdrav takodje i Srdjanu Filipovicu kompetentnom treneru i mom dobrom prijatelju. Pozdrav Srbiji, ostajemo na kontaktu i puno hvala jos jednom.