Captures America's Spirit

National Synchronized Swimming Champion

Kozlova, 26, grew up in St. Petersburg, Russia. Her father Arvid, a professor at the Academy of Physical Education in St. Petersburg, and her mother Natalia, a mathematician at the University of High Math were her biggest supporters. Arvid, himself a national junior record holder in swimming got her started in swimming and Natalia taught her the graces of ballet, dance and music. Together, they provided her the perfect blend of strength and beauty, two of the most important ingredients in synchronized swimming.

“I started training for swimming when I was in the fourth grade. I got up at 5:00 in the morning. In Russia, it was a lot harder training because it was really very dark and very cold out. Getting out of bed was the worst thing. However, you must have some sacrifices in order to hit your goals.”

In 1992, Kozlova, competed in the Barcelona Olympics for the former Russia (Unified Team) in synchronized swimming, placing fourth in the duet. Later that year she immigrated to California where she now trains with the Santa Clara Aquamaids. “I fell in love with the whole team. The way the team works, it was like a dream. It is the best team possible. I love the people and the spirit of America.”

“Without the support and generosity over four exciting years from four time world champion Becky Dyroen and her parents, Lee and Paula, my dreams would not have come this far. Also, very special is my coach, Chris Carver who is a remarkable person. She is a mentor to me. She is a workaholic, very, very artistic, kind and has an incredible heart. When I came to the United States I had no family here. Chris who has two sons, does not have any daughters. I became like a daughter to her and she like a mother to me.”

“While training for the Olympics, we train three times a week at 6:00 a.m., we have prior metrics for an hour or more. Then, we go to the pool and we swim until about 12:00 or 12:30, then a lunch break for maybe an hour. Two times a week we have gymnastics and two times a week we have dance for an hour-and-a-half. Then, my partner and I come back until maybe six or so.” Kozlova practices eight hours-plus a day, six days a week.

She has won numerous national solo, duet, team and figures titles. In 1997 Kozlova was awarded the USSS Athlete of the Year. She has traveled the world in competitions to Rome, Germany, Japan, Australia, France and Italy. When asked her favorite place to travel. “Why, of course, the United States.”

On October 7, 1999, Kozlova received her most priceless honor, she was sworn in as an American citizen. For six long years she has studied and worked hard for this. Finally, she can now compete with her teammates internationally and is proud of her new passport which allows her to go anywhere in the world.

America will cheer for Anna Kozlova and her teammates in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and beyond. The spirit of America will continue to burn bright as Kozlova performs and shares with us the artistic strength and beauty of synchronized swimming for the whole wide world to see.