Russians win the hearts of locals

By Callan Date
FROM Russia with love.
That famous line seems to be true if you talk to any of the Casey workers or residents who have had the privilege of meeting the Russian swim team this week.
The Russians have been regularly seen in Doveton and Endeavour Hills as they go about preparing for the FINA World Championships starting next Saturday.
Their English may not be the best but their smiles have transcended any language barriers that exist down under.
Doveton Pool in the Park has been the aquatic base for the 33 athletes while Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre has facilitated their gym program.
Centre manager Simon Beqir said the friendly nature of the swim team had been evident throughout their training sessions.
“They have just been great. Very friendly and really easy to work with,” Mr Beqir said.
He said having the international athletes in Casey had allowed local members to rub shoulders with world-class swimmers.
“It has been a great motivating factor for a lot of our members and staff at Endeavour Hills who have been training at the same time as the Russians,” Mr Beqir said.
He said there was also no shortage of staff members willing to work at the pool while the swim team took to the water.
“They are training twice a day at the pool – once in the morning and once in the afternoon. We have actually had to try and rotate the staff so everyone gets an opportunity to work while they are training,” he said.
There have been no strange requests from the swimmers and they have been very happy with the facilities, Mr Beqir said.
Strangely enough, the freezing climate of Russia has not made the swim team immune to recent chilly mornings in Melbourne.
“We have increased the pool temperature by about a degree. We don’t want them getting sick with the cold mornings we had earlier this week.”
The Doveton outdoor pool is hovering at 27 degrees while the competition pool at Rod Laver will be at 26 degrees, Mr Beqir said.
The Doveton Pool in the Park is closed to the general public but the Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre remains open to members.
The team is staying at a Dandenong hotel – allowing them easy access to their Casey based training venues.
Russian team officials opened up a pool session to the media on Tuesday.
Names to watch during the championships include Yuri Prilukov who will challenge local favourite Grant Hackett in the 1500 metre event.
And Arkady Vyatchanin will be a medal hope in the 200m backstroke.
“They will be training here until 21 March when the official training venues open up.
“Having the Russian team here has just given our group a great buzz,” Mr Beqir said.