BY SCOTT
HADDOW
When Irina Cividino was just six years old, she first saw
synchronized swimming on television and fell in love with the
sport.
Now 17, Cividino has been training in the water sport for nine
years and looking to make a big splash.
Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Cividino was adopted by Gayle
and Frank Cividino of Sudbury through an international agency
at the age of four.
She doesn't know much about her initial formative years, but
she knows two things for sure though now. One, she's happy she
grew up in Sudbury and thinks the world of her adoptive
parents. And two, she loves synchronized swimming and wants to
represent Canada at a future Olympics.
Cividino first started swimming in the old YMCA, which was
located on Lloyd Street. From there, she swam at the Dow Pool
in Copper Cliff for three years. She took her first real step
towards her Olympic goal by joining the Sudbury Synchronized
Swimming Club at the Laurentian University Olympic Pool in
2003.
Cividino has the right frame of mind to be an elite competitor,
and is trying everything in her power to help herself achieve
it.
She enjoys a challenge and knows she can only reach her full
potential by training with some of the best in Canada. Cividino
has her sights set on attending the Olympia Synchronized Swim
Club in Etobicoke, which is highly regarded as one of the best
in the country. Cividino had hoped to be there right now, but a
$25,000 stumbling block has kept her from realizing her dream.
It costs about $25,000 for accommodations for a year, plus
food, living expenses, competition fees and club fees.
Although her hopes were dashed this past year, Cividino has
taken it upon herself to raise the necessary funds so she can
continue chasing down her goals.
When the Grade 11 Lockerby student isn't treading water for
hours mastering moves, she's out treading the pavement with her
feet looking for sponsors and organizing her own fundraising
events.
Cividino is hosting a spring dance and lunch for May 4 at the
Lockerby Legion as her next event.
Cividino recently took time out her busy schedule to talk to
Northern Life sports reporter Scott Haddow about her
aspirations, trials and tribulations and how much the sport
means to her.
SH: Synchronized swimming is a demanding sport to succeed in. Why are you so passionate about realizing this dream?
IC: Ever since I saw synchronized swimming on television when I
was six years old, this is what I wanted to do. I didn't know
much about the sport, but I knew I wanted to do it…I thought it
was cool. I went to a synchronized swimming camp when I was
seven and I loved it. Then I set the Olympics as my goal. I
didn't know how much effort I would have to put in to it, but I
am. Last April, I wanted to go to a more demanding club, but it
costs a lot of money. It was too much last year, so I am trying
again by holding my own fundraisers and looking for sponsors.
It's my dream…I have to follow it.
SH: Getting sponsorship money can be difficult. What has the experience been like for you?
IC: It can be difficult and it can be nerve-wracking. I am
getting used to it now. Anyone sponsoring me gets a plaque and
I give them results and updates on how I am doing. I also know
I have to give back to the community…like maybe do some
teaching. I've gone to two competitions and done well. I
compete in the Tier Six level. There are seven tiers, and seven
is the highest. Training at the Olympia will help me reach Tier
Seven. I placed third and second in duets and figures at the
Central Regional Championships. I have the Tier Six
Championships in Ottawa in May…I hope to finish in first.
SH: What do you love about this sport?
IC: It's beautiful and amazing to watch. It's also very
difficult. I don't think many people realize how challenging it
is. The challenge captivates me. I train over 20 hours per
week. It's also difficult with schoolwork. I enjoy being pushed
though. I feel great when I am being challenged every day and I
am busy.
SH: Just how difficult can this sport be?
IC: It takes a lot of practice to learn the skills. There's
always something new to learn. Right now, I've been learning a
new skill for awhile and I am still not even close to
perfecting it and that's what it takes to be
successful…perfecting the skills. In the water, you have to be
aware of where you are at all times. As you move up levels, you
have to spend even more time on perfecting the small details.
It's time consuming and takes a lot of determination. It makes
me feel great though.
SH: What kind of expectations do you have of yourself?
IC: I have high expectations. Sometimes, they're too high. I
like to set high goals because I like to reach far. I don't
want to settle for less. This is who I am. I know making the
national team will be difficult…that's why I have the goal. I
will not set my goal any lower. I want to be one of the best.
Other athletes have succeeded in more difficult situations. I
am driven and I believe I can do it.
SH: Would having to move to Etobicoke for a year bother you?
IC: If I am focused, which I am, it will stop me from being
homesick. If I am doing what I want to do, it will not bother
me. Yes, I will miss my family and friends, but I will still
visit. I am actually anxious for the life experience…of being
on my own and swimming with elite swimmers.
Note: The Sudbury Synchronized Swim Club has a Water Show on Sunday, April 29 from 4 to 5:30 pm at the Laurentian Pool. Anyone interested in helping Cividino reach her goals can phone 522-6795.
