U.S. Team Looks To Secure Olympic Berth

Olympic Qualifyer, April 15-18 in Athens, Greece

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The 2004 Olympic Games Synchronized Swimming Qualification Tournament will determine the eight teams and 24 duets that will represent their countries at the 2004 Olympic Games this summer. In other words, this event decides who's in and who's out.

The competition is slated for April 15-18 in Athens. The U.S Team heads into the competition with confidence, looking to come away with a top three finish.

"This team isn't afraid to want to win gold," said team captain Lauren McFall (Los Altos, Calif.). "We have amazing chemistry and because of that we are able to make every practice more efficient then the one before.

Practice time is key. This team has had the luxury of practicing together for over a year. Within that time, they have captured three medals in the team competition: bronze at both the 2002 World Cup and 2003 World Championships and gold at the 2003 Pan American Games. These medals were the first for America since 1998.

Leading the way is two-time Olympian Anna Kozlova (St. Petersburg, Russia). Kozlova competed in the 1992 Olympic Games for her then-home country USSR. She then competed for the U.S. in 2000 in both the duet and team competition after receiving her U.S. citizenship just 10 months before.

Kozlova will also pair with Alison Bartosik (Santa Clara, Calif.) to represent the U.S. in the duet competition. The duo, swimming together for more than two years, finished fourth at the World Championships and captured gold at the Pan American Games last year.

"The U.S. duet team of Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik are perfect compliments," stated head coach Chris Carver. "They combine experience, artistry, and stability which results in the kind of harmonious blend that is needed to be a successful pair."

The U.S. Team would like nothing more than to return the U.S. to the medal stand at the Olympic Games. The Qualifyer is the first step, then comes August.

"They have that immense drive and spirit," Carver said. "Every team is like a new recipe. This one has a lot of ingredients for success."

Following is an event schedule, the qualifying procedures, and a country entry list. Results will be posted on www.usasynchro.org . For more information on the U.S. Team, log on to www.usasynchro.org .