Olympics / Team USA Local Olympic Spotlight: Anita Alvarez (Kenmore, NY) – Synchronized Swimming by Daniel Popoloski August 5, 2016 Anita Alvarez (back) and partner Maria Koroleva (USA Today Sports) Kenmore, NY native Anita Alvarez will try to reach the podium in the synchronized swimming event when she heads to the Rio Olympics. Alvarez punched her ticket to Rio when her and her partner Mariya Koroleva finished seventh place in a qualify competition held in Rio de Janeiro in March. The two will be the only synchronized swimmers for the United States, as the nation was unable to qualify a group for the full team event. This will be Alavarez’ first Olympics and Koroleva’s second. In 2012, Koroleva with her doubles partner finished a disappointing eleventh. In the FINA world championships last year, Alvarez and her partner finished tenth. In the Pan-Am games that same year, she finished first place in the team competition, and in the French Open, in doubles, they finished third. Alavarez and Koroleva are unlikely to come home from Rio with a medal. Unfortunately for the duo, the Russians are likely still competing despite the doping ban, which would have definitely boosted their chances. After quite a few middle of the pack finishes, it’s unfair to expect the young duo to be able to come out and shock the world against all of the world’s best synchronized swimmers. The United States isn’t traditionally strong in the sport, and that will only be reinforced when they don’t finish well in Rio. Finishing in the top-8 teams will be a big achievement for Alvarez. Either way, qualifying for the Olympics altogether is impressive, especially at only age 19. Her mother Karen, who has taught synchronized swimming for 30 years, began teaching her how to swim when she was only five years old. She won the Presidential Gold award, an award for academic excellence. She currently lives in California with a host family in order to train with the national team. Post Views: 1,512 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Daniel Popoloski Dan is a Staff Writer here at DoubleGSports.com with a focus on Team USA and the Rio Olympics Latest posts by Daniel Popoloski (see all) Team USA Proves it Can Win without Phelps, Lochte - July 30, 2017 Sydney McLaughlin becomes first Repeat Gatorade Athlete of Year - July 18, 2017 Local Swimmers Looking to Thrive at World Championships - July 18, 2017 Sydney McLaughlin Dominates New Jersey Meet of Champions - June 14, 2017 Related TopicsAnita AlvarezMariya KorolevaRioRio OlympicsTeam USA Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics by Anthony Paradiso | posted on April 18, 2021 You Know I’m Right, Episode 109: The Athletic’s Marc Carig (Audio/Video) by Nicholas Durst | posted on April 19, 2021 Michael Jordan Could Change the Future of Nascar for the Better by Inesh Chari | posted on March 30, 2021 WNBA Rolling Out Red Carpet For Upcoming 25th Anniversary Season by Jason Cordner | posted on March 16, 2021 More in Olympics / Team USA Lochte, Dressel and Ledecky all Chasing Gold at 2021 Tokyo Olympics The 2021 Summer Olympic games are scheduled to take place from July 23 –... You Know I’m Right, Episode 94: Olympic Gold Medalist Lilly King (Audio/Video) On the 94th episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst was joined by olympic... The Tokyo 2021 Olympics Will Feature New Amazing Sports Surfing, skateboarding, sport climbing, karate, baseball and softball will compete at the Summer Olympics. You Know I’m Right, Episode 82: NBC’s Mary Carillo (Audio/Video) On the 82nd episode of You Know I’m Right, Nick Durst and Joe Calabrese are joined by... The Hurt Business to be Released in September Local Olympic Spotlight: New Canaan, Connecticut Native Thomas Dunstan Part of Men’s Water Polo Team