Dutch NOS got a joint interview with Wellbrock and Romantjuk after the attempts at 800 meters freestyle.
- I really like training with him.
He is one of my biggest competitors.
Every workout is like a competition.
We learn a lot from each other, says Wellbrock and continues:
- He is in a very special and bad situation.
I'm just trying to help a friend.
Romantjuk talks about the special situation he is in when he competes for medals at the World Cup in Budapest.
- My father is at war now.
It's very tough, but I'm for representing my country.
This pool is my battlefield.
He goes on to give his view on the situation in his home country.
- It's a big war.
Ukraine is defending not only our country, but the whole of Europe and perhaps the whole world.
The pool where the domestic championships usually take place has been bombed.
Five to six pools in Ukraine have been destroyed and about ten athletes from various sports have died.
If someone says that sport is not politics, they do not know what they are talking about.