ST. PETERSBURG, December 23 (R-Sport) - Russian Olympic swimmer Nikita Lobintsev is so impressed by the training setup in the United States that he has decided to base himself there permanently, he has told R-Sport.
Looking to take his performances to the next level after claiming bronze in the 4x100 meters freestyle relay in London, the 23-year-old Lobintsev attended a training camp in California run by noted coach Dave Salo.
Now, the two-time European champion doesn't want to come back to Russia, or coach Valery Shevelev.
"No, I won't be continuing my work with Shevelev, because I've decided to train in America and completely change my approach," said Lobintsev.
"I really like the training sessions, I go to them with such huge joy and desire. There, it's entirely different work. Sometimes in Russia I didn't even want to turn up at the pool. There, I just don't get those feelings."
Lobintsev said he was one of a number of swimmers to take the decision to remain in the U.S. to train.
"We went there just to have a look, and now we're back and we've decided to speak to the Russian federation and let them know that we will be training in America."
Salo, who was on the coaching staff for the U.S. Olympic women's swim team at London 2012, trains the University of Southern California men’s and women’s swimming teams and has a record of success with future Olympic stars.
He coached six-time Olympic medalist Rebecca Soni of the United States and Russian swimmer Yulia Yefimova, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 200 meters breaststroke at the London Olympics.
