Jessica Sobrino, after more than ten years competing across the world, you’ve finally landed at your first Olympic Games. Is it a feeling of nerves, relief, excitement, or all of the above?

I have a lot of feelings, happiness and nerves, but I am very proud that after more than ten years I am finally able to enjoy the Olympic Games.

The Olympics qualification is a validation of the emergence of Artistic Swimming in Mexico over the past few years. What has been the catalyst for Mexico to now be challenging the world’s very best in the sport?

We have worked very hard for more than fifteen years, always trying to improve. Our team has always focussed on itself, on trying to have a good performance and not just the result. We are a very united team that had the goal of going to the Olympic Games. Now that we have achieved that, we want to have an incredible performance in Paris.

Mexico’s recent success in the sport culminated with securing the Pan-American qualification spot ahead of the expected qualifiers the United States of America. What was that moment like at the Pan-American Games when you realised you were going to Paris 2024?

It was an incredible moment. We worked a lot, and we were very strategic to arrive in the best condition for our most important competition. Our success was from focussing on not having basemarks and enjoying the competition.

Did securing the qualification spot early help the team’s preparations for Paris as you didn’t have to worry about chasing qualification at Doha 2024?

Yes, going to Doha we had a routine that we had only put together one month earlier. We were very calm having already received the qualification and not having to chase a spot at the World Championships.

The Mexican team here in Paris is one of the most experienced. Five of you have been competing on the international circuit for almost ten years. Does it help the team having a mix of youth and experience?

I think it makes our team stronger having the combination of several generations. The experience of the five of us, plus the energy of the new girls, really helps us as a team. 

And for you – a bit of a veteran on the team. What has this journey to Paris been like for you, having been in the sport at a top level now for over a decade?

For me it has been a very nice, but a very complicated path. I’ve had a burst eardrum for twelve years now, and also some shoulder surgery, but it has been wonderful path to stay on as I get to work with my best friends every day. 

Jessica Sobrino will compete for Mexico in the Acrobatic Routine (5 Aug), Free Routine (6 Aug), and Technical Routine (7 Aug), as part of the Artistic Swimming Mixed Team event.