The Bayandina sisters made dramatic changes in their lives and careers.
27-year-old synchronist twins Anastasia and Daria Bayandiny have been living in France since 2018. As part of the Russian national team, the girls won the World and European Championships, but then, due to very high competition, they decided to move to another country. The path to the Olympics was long and difficult, the girls even had to endure disqualification for a doping test in 2014.
In the end, only Anastasia made it to the main tournament of her career. The French team, which returned to the Games after a long break, is in preliminary fifth place after two types of the program out of three. In the free program, the French performed in unusual caps with faces painted on the back of their heads.
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“We decided to bring in a novelty effect. We came up with it with coaches and choreographers,” — says Nastya.
Before talking to Sport24 correspondent Konstantin Lesik and two other journalists from Russia, Anastasia deftly gave an interview in French. Upon hearing Russian speech, the girl did not immediately switch to her native language, but gradually became talkative. Apparently, she does not often have to communicate with journalists in Russian.
Sport24
“It definitely feels like a celebration. I have fire in my eyes. The audience gives us great emotions. We feel this support. I try to soak it all up like a sponge,” — says Nastya.
— How did your transition happen?
— In 2018, I moved to France. It was a long journey with naturalization, adaptation in the team. But everything went well. In the end, I am here. My dream came true, and I am very happy about it. It was worth it.
– What’s wrong with your sister?
— It so happened that after the selections I was the only one left in the team. This story is a bit touching (Anastasia probably meant “sad” – editor’s note).
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— Didn’t pass on the sporting principle?
– Yes, after the selections and competitions, the coaches decided to take eight people into the team. Dasha didn’t get in.
— What is your level of French?
— In 2020, after two years in the country, I had level B1. Now, probably already B2. I have already adapted.
— Did you teach your teammates Russian?
– It happened. They said a few words to them. (Smiles) But, on the contrary, I try to adapt to French life.
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— What was the most difficult part of the transition?
— A new language and distance from parents, lack of familiar things. My whole family is still in Russia. It’s good that my sister and I moved together. It made it easier.
— Did the family arrive in Paris?
– It’s difficult. Unfortunately, no. They watch on TV. We haven’t even tried to get them a visa. My parents were at my competitions last time when I was 11. That would have added to my jitters. And Dasha is here, in the stands.
– You are the only world champion in your team (as part of the Russian national team for the 2017 World Cup, — Sport24 note)In France, did they ask questions about how synchronized swimmers are trained in Russia?
— Of course, they asked about the preparation. They were interested in how we were trained in Russia. After all, we spent many more hours in the water there. But I myself tried more to reach for the group than to set myself as an example. Yes, my sister and I have titles, but competitions are held every year. And every year we have new champions.
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— Do you keep in touch with synchronized swimmers from Russia?
— Distance, of course, plays its role. But we still communicate, write to each other.
– No hate?
– There is no hate. The girls, on the contrary, think that we are lucky. That we perform, and they do not. There is luck, yes. But it is also a lot of work. And a difficult decision.
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— Would you like to see Russian women at tournaments and compete with them?
— The entire world of synchronized swimming still watches videos of the Russians’ performances and looks up to them. All their achievements, Olympic medals, have not gone anywhere. We want to see them at competitions.
— Has your sport lost a lot because of Russia’s ban?
— It’s hard to answer because we have new rules and constantly different medalists. Some work more on technique, some on choreography. Everyone tries to use their trump cards.
— Given the new rules, do you think Russia will continue to dominate synchronized swimming after its return?
— I think everything is possible now. We see big differences in scores between different countries, in different programs, especially in acrobatics. I think if we take the three programs as a whole, Russia would fight with China for gold.
Olympics — 2024 on Sport24
sfarsit articol
The Bayandina sisters have undergone significant transformations in their lives and careers.
Twenty-seven-year-old synchronized twins Anastasia and Daria Bayandiny have been residing in France since 2018. As members of the Russian national team, the sisters secured victories at the World and European Championships. However, due to intense competition, they opted to relocate to another country. Their journey to the Olympics has been lengthy and challenging, including a period of disqualification following a doping test in 2014.
Ultimately, only Anastasia qualified for the most important event in her career. The French team, which made a return to the Games after a long hiatus, currently holds fifth place in the preliminary rounds after completing two out of three program segments. In their free program, the French team performed while wearing unique caps adorned with faces painted on the back of their heads.
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“We wanted to create a novel effect. Our coaches and choreographers helped us come up with this idea,” says Nastya.
Before interviewing with Sport24 correspondent Konstantin Lesik and two other Russian journalists, Anastasia skillfully conducted an interview in French. When she heard Russian being spoken, she didn’t immediately switch to her native language but gradually engaged more. It seems she doesn’t have frequent opportunities to communicate with journalists in Russian.
Sport24
“It truly feels like a celebration. My eyes are filled with excitement. The audience provides us with incredible emotions. We really feel their support. I try to absorb it all like a sponge,” remarks Nastya.
— How did your transition happen?
— I moved to France in 2018. It was a long journey that involved naturalization and adaptation to the team. Fortunately, everything went smoothly. In the end, here I am. I’ve fulfilled my dream, and I am extremely happy about it. It was worth it.
– What about your sister?
— After the selections, it turned out that I was the only one left in the team. This situation is a bit touching (Anastasia likely meant “sad” – editor’s note).
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— Was it based on performance criteria?
– Yes, after the selections and competitions, the coaches decided to include eight individuals in the team, and Dasha did not qualify.
— What is your level of French?
— In 2020, after two years in the country, I achieved a B1 level. Now, I’m probably at a B2 level. I have adapted significantly.
— Have you taught your teammates any Russian?
– I have shared a few words with them. (Smiles) However, I primarily aim to integrate into French culture.
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— What was the hardest part of your transition?
— Adjusting to a new language, being far from my parents, and missing familiar surroundings. My entire family remains in Russia. Fortunately, my sister and I moved together, which made the process easier.
— Did your family come to Paris?
– It’s difficult. Unfortunately, they have not. They watch my performances on TV. We haven’t even attempted to get them a visa. The last time my parents attended my competitions was when I was 11. That would have made me more nervous. And Dasha is here, in the audience.
– You are the only world champion on your team (as part of the Russian national team for the 2017 World Cup, — Sport24 note) Did they inquire about how synchronized swimmers are trained in Russia?
— Indeed, they were curious about our training methods. They wanted to know how we trained in Russia since we used to spend significantly more hours in the water. However, I tried to align myself with the group rather than position myself as a role model. Yes, my sister and I hold titles, but competitions happen every year. New champions emerge annually.
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— Do you maintain communication with synchronized swimmers from Russia?
— Yes, distance undoubtedly plays a role, but we still keep in touch and message one another.
– No animosity?
– There’s no animosity. The girls actually feel that we are fortunate to be competing while they cannot. There is indeed an element of luck involved. However, it also requires a considerable amount of hard work and a tough decision.
Social networks of Anastasia Bayandina
— Would you like to see Russian women participating in tournaments and compete against them?
— The entire world of synchronized swimming continues to watch videos of the Russians’ performances and views them as role models. All their accomplishments and Olympic medals remain relevant. We want to see them competing.
— Has your sport significantly suffered due to the ban on Russia?
— It’s difficult to say because we have new rules and we consistently have different medalists. Some focus more on technique, while others prioritize choreography. Everyone is trying to leverage their unique strengths.
— Given the new regulations, do you believe Russia will retain its dominance in synchronized swimming upon its return?
— I think anything is possible now. We can see significant score disparities between different countries and various programs, especially in acrobatics. If we consider the three programs as a whole, Russia would likely be in contention with China for the gold medal.
Olympics — 2024 on Sport24
The Inspiring Journey of the Bayandina Sisters: From Russia to France
At just 27 years old, synchronized twins Anastasia and Daria Bayandina are making waves in the world of synchronized swimming. After achieving remarkable success as part of the Russian national team, including winning the World and European Championships, the dynamic duo made a bold decision to relocate to France in 2018. Their journey, filled with highs and lows, ultimately serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and determination.
From Russia to New Beginnings in France
The Bayandina sisters faced intense competition in their early careers, which pushed them to consider their options. The transition to France was not merely a geographical change; it involved a complete overhaul of their lives. The sisters had to navigate the complexities of naturalization, adapt to a new team environment, and overcome the challenges posed by a foreign language.
“In 2018, I moved to France. It was a long journey with naturalization and adaptation in the team. But everything went well. In the end, I am here. My dream came true, and I am very happy about it,” said Anastasia in a recent interview.
The Challenge of Competition
The Bayandina sisters’ path to competitive success was filled with obstacles. They faced a significant setback in 2014 when they were disqualified due to a doping test—a moment that tested their resolve. Overcoming this hurdle was crucial in shaping their competitive spirit.
Performing on the World Stage
After making the bold decision to represent France, the sisters proved their worth on the international stage. Anastasia managed to secure a spot on the French team as they returned to the Olympics after a long hiatus. Competing at the Olympics is a dream for any athlete, and for Anastasia, this experience is monumental.
During their performances, the French team showcased creativity and innovation by donning unusual caps with faces painted on the back of their heads, a concept that Anastasia claimed was a collaborative effort with their coaches and choreographers.
“We decided to bring in a novelty effect. We came up with it with coaches and choreographers,” Nastya explained.
Emotional Highlights
Competing at this level brings a mix of emotions, and Anastasia conveyed that energy during their performances. “It definitely feels like a celebration. I have fire in my eyes. The audience gives us great emotions. We feel this support. I try to soak it all up like a sponge,” she expressed.
Language Barriers and Cultural Adaptation
The transition to a new country naturally included the challenge of adapting to a different language. Anastasia’s initial struggles with the French language gradually turned into triumph. By 2020, after two years in France, she had reached a B1 proficiency level and is now comfortably at B2.
“I try to adapt to French life,” she noted, emphasizing her commitment to fully embracing her new home.
The Impact of Family Separation
Being away from family is never easy, and the sisters often find themselves reminiscing about home. While Daria did not make it to the French national team, she remains a supportive presence in Anastasia’s journey. Anastasia reflected on the emotional costs of relocation, stating, “It’s good that my sister and I moved together. It made it easier.”
Building Connections in the French Team
Embedding herself within the French team has opened new avenues for Anastasia. She frequently interacts with her teammates and has even shared snippets of Russian culture with them. “It happened. They said a few words to them… But, on the contrary, I try to adapt to French life,” she said with a smile.
Maintaining Ties with Russian Athletes
Despite the geographical distance, Anastasia remains connected with her fellow synchronized swimmers back in Russia. However, the absence of any resentment or hate towards her former teammates is evident. As Anastasia put it, “The girls, on the contrary, think that we are lucky. That we perform, and they do not.”
The Future of Synchronized Swimming without Russia
Anastasia acknowledges that the world of synchronized swimming has certainly changed due to the competition landscape. Questions arise regarding how the sport will evolve, especially in light of Russia being barred from international competition. “It’s hard to answer… But it is also a lot of work and a difficult decision,” she stated thoughtfully.
Insights on Training and Technique
French teammates have shown a keen interest in learning from Anastasia’s experiences in Russia. Recognizing the rigorous training methodology, Anastasia explained, “They were interested in how we were trained in Russia. After all, we spent many more hours in the water there.”
The Potential for Future Dominance
As discussions regarding the future of the sport continue, Anastasia believes that the competitive landscape remains wide open. “I think everything is possible now. We see big differences in scores between different countries, and especially in acrobatics,” she remarked, hinting at a resurgence of talent in synchronized swimming across various nations.
Benefits of the Bayandina Sisters’ Journey
The journey of the Bayandina sisters not only showcases their dedication to synchronized swimming but also highlights important lessons for athletes in every discipline: the significance of resilience, cultural adaptability, and maintaining connections to one’s roots.
Practical Tips for Athletes Considering Relocation
- Research the New Environment: Understand the culture, language, and athletic expectations of the new country.
- Embrace Adaptation: Make an effort to learn the local language; it can greatly aid in communication and team integration.
- Stay Connected: Regular communication with family and friends back home can help ease feelings of homesickness.
- Foster Relationships: Building relationships with new teammates fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration.
Conclusion
The Bayandina sisters’ journey exemplifies the challenges and triumphs faced by athletes willing to start anew in a different country. Their story serves as an inspiration for all aspiring athletes, showcasing the power of perseverance, adaptability, and the unbreakable bonds of family.
As the world of synchronized swimming continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the Bayandina sisters will keep pushing the boundaries, both in their sport and their lives.
