The U.S. national swimming team consists of 41 swimmers and 30 staff members, and preparations are underway at the Kantrida swimming pools for the World Swimming Championships to be held in Budapest from 18 to 25 June. The US national team chose Kantrida swimming pools for their preparations for the third time – they held their training camps in Rijeka in 2015 and 2017.

Lindsay Mintenko, director of the US swimming team, Leah Smith and Ryan Murphey, national team members, spoke at the press conference about their impressions of the one-week preparations in Rijeka, ending in three days. They were welcomed by the mayor of Rijeka, Marko Filipović, and the director of Rijeka Sport, Igor Butorac.

MAYOR FILIPOVIĆ AND DIRECTOR OF THE US SWIMMING NATIONAL TEAM LINDSAY MINTENKO

Welcoming the American national swimming team, Mayor Filipović expressed his satisfaction that Rijeka had the opportunity to once again host the US national team at the Kantrida swimming pools. “Kantrida swimming pools, which construction was completed ten years ago, are planned with the aim of providing quality conditions for training and competitions of athletes and recreation of citizens, and the location of the swimming pool complex near the sea makes it one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean,” said mayor Filipović.

He pointed out that the pool complex was primarily planned to provide quality conditions for citizens to play sports, swim and enjoy some recreation, but it also had its commercial note, especially in preparation for important international competitions, thus greatly contributing to the promotion of Rijeka and Croatia as tourist destinations.

LEAH SMTIH, RYAN MURPHEY AND IVAN VERUNICA

In addition to the American national team, the swimming pools in Rijeka were recognised as the location for preparations before important swimming competitions by other internationally successful athletes and coaches and numerous national teams. The national teams of Norway, Denmark and Austria, Japan, Estonia, Germany, Sweden, Latvia, Slovenia and Great Britain trained at Kantrida.

Wishing the national team success at the upcoming World Cup, the mayor expressed hope that this would not be the last visit of the American national team to our city.

“As managers of the complex, we are proud to point out the fact that since its opening, the pools have been used by about 3.5 million users, or almost a thousand a day. We are especially pleased with the world interest in using such a complex, which is just a confirmation of the quality conditions for athletes and all citizens of Rijeka at the Kantrida swimming pools. The fact that, in addition to the American team, two other national teams are currently training in Rijeka, the Singapore national team and the long-distance swimming team from Great Britain, confirms in the best way that the complex is recognised in the world, said Rijeka Sport director Butorac. The city recorded 5% more reservations from different groups when compared to 2019.

For the third time, the US swimming national team chose the Kantrida swimming pools for preparations

The director of the US swimming team, Lindsay Mintenko, thanked for the warm welcome to Rijeka, where they felt very good.

“This is the third time we return to Rijeka, we are trying to keep it our little secret, because every time we visit Rijeka and Croatia we have a great time and after that we achieve great results. All members of the national team love to be here and I believe that this is one of the big factors that influences their swimming, so we are looking forward to the World Championships in Budapest, “said Mintenko.

Mintenko said she was extremely pleased to see the pool complex being used so much by local swimmers, that Rijeka had so many clubs and that so many young people were taking part in swimming activities.

Ryan Murphey and Leah Smith, Olympic champions, who are preparing at the Kantrida swimming pools for the third time now, are also preparing for the World Championships. Ryan Murphey is one of the best backstroke swimmers in the world: he is a multiple-time Olympic winner (Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021) and a multiple winner of gold medals at world championships, while Leah Smith is a multiple winner of Olympic and world medals. The American national team members expressed their satisfaction with the excellent training conditions, the proximity of the beach and the kindness of the hosts, as well as the accommodation at the Hilton Costabella Beach Resort and Spa.