The best artistic swimmers on the planet will have the honour of testing out the brand-new Olympic Aquatics Centre at the Artistic Swimming World Cup in Paris from 3-5 May.
It is the first official event to be held in the low-carbon venue, which is the only permanent facility to be constructed for the Paris 2024 Games.
In additional to artistic swimming, it will also host diving and water polo this summer.
Ahead of the Artistic Swimming World Cup World Aquatics caught up with some of those looking to perfect their preparations ahead of Paris 2024 and others who are using it as a stepping stone towards future targets.
Austria – Anna-Maria and Erini-Mariana Alexandri
“It’s an amazing venue and also to be here with our other sister (Vasiliki who will compete in the solo competition) makes it really special that we can be here to share it together,” said Anna-Maria Alexandri.
Sister Erini-Mariana added; “It’s our first competition since Fukuoka so it will be a really good test for us. We hope we can win, or be in the medals and see an improvement!”
Canada – Kenzie Priddell
“This event we’re using to see our progress and we want to go out there and show the work we’ve done so far,” she said. “There have been a lot of changes over the past few weeks and we want to go and stay strong and take another step towards the Games.”
Egypt – Nihal Saafan
“I think the venue is amazing with all the facilities and the pool,” she said. “We’re all so excited to swim here and try it out before the Olympics and I think it will be so crowded here with so much noise in the summer!
France – Claudia Janvier
“It’s very special to have a first artistic swimming event here at what will be the Olympic venue this summer, it’s also really motivating,” she said. “Everyone is so excited and it’s a big reminder of what is to come in a few months.”
Netherlands – Marloes Steenbeek
“I wanted to see and feel the pool and I’m already getting a really nice vibe from it,” she said. “My goal here is to improve my artistic impression and of course try and not get a base-mark! It’s my first year doing solo and it’s been pretty good and it’s nice to see progress.”
United States – Anita Alvarez
“It’s so great to be able to compete here in this beautiful venue ahead of the Olympics,” she said. “Our plan is to do what we always do, focus on working head and doing our best and hopefully the results come with that.”
Kazakstan – Artur Maidanov
“It’s a really cool pool, so large and beautiful. I’m looking forward to competing but also watching the likes of Canada and Spain as they have so much energy,” he said. “I think it’s also a great time for men in the sport and I think we have a great future.”