Three of the eight who claimed Team silver for the USA will line-up for the Team Technical and Team Acrobatic Finals. The USA’s showdown with Spain, the bronze medallists at the last Games, in the Tech event is likely to be one of the major highlights of the first World Cup weekend of 2025.

To add to the sense of intrigue Spain are now coached by their former athlete Andrea Fuentes, who guided the USA to their historic Olympic success last summer, before returning to her homeland.

With the Paris 2024 Aquatics Centre undergoing post-Games redevelopment, the World Cup is taking place in the Piscine Georges Vallerey, which hosted aquatic contests at the 1924 Olympic Games and was a training base during Paris 2024

“It feels good to be back, it’s a different pool and a different team of course but it feels amazing to be back and Paris will always hold a special place in my heart,” USA Olympic silver medallist Jamie Czarkowski tells World Aquatics.

“We have returning people and new people so we’ve done a really good job of bringing that together and learning from one another, bit we’re looking at how we can keep that momentum going.”

Paris 2024 team-mate Daniella Ramirez continues: “the memories we have of Paris are the silver medal so coming back here feels amazing and magical.

“Yes, we have an almost completely new team but we’re trying to learn from the lessons and the disappointments from over the years, because we showed what can happen if you keep working, coming out of the Games we finally had the fruit at the end of our labour.”

The USA athletes are particularly enthusiastic about their new technical routine, which will debut in Paris on Saturday evening.

“The theme is ‘peacock’ and you’ll see as soon as we walk out a very bird-like, peacock theme which is going to be really cool,” says Olympic silver medallist Jacklyn Luu.

Team-mate Czarkowski continues; “we have unique music, unique moves and we’re really proud of the choreography we’ve put together and we’re excited to show it to everyone.”

Spain To ‘Take A Step’ Towards Singapore 2025

In addition to the World Cup contests and European Aquatics Championships, Spain will also target success at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.

It will provide nations with a crucial stepping-stone towards the LA2028 Olympics and the Spanish are aiming to build on the momentum created by their success last summer.

“After the Olympics we changed our coach and our team, so it’s a different experience, but I feel more powerful because I have an Olympic medal at home and this gives me a lot of energy and power,” Alisa Ozhogina Ozhogin tells World Aquatics.

“We are planning to go to every competition (in 2025) which is something really different for us, but I think it’s a really good way to keep this motivation up and have more experience for the new team.

The 2023 World champion continues: “We are planning to develop these new girls to understand what it is to compete at World Championships.

“For me, it’s difficult to believe I’m one of the oldest girls, as I’m just 24, but I’m one of the most experienced, so I’m here to enjoy it and keep having fun, including at Singapore.”

Words From Other Ones-To-Watch at the Paris World Cup

CANADA

“It’s very nice to be back in the city, this pool is where I did my first competition a few years ago, so it’s nice to be back here for the start of this new cycle,” says Audrey Lamothe.

“We (she and Ximena Ortiz Montano) have only been working together for one month so it will be our first competition as a new duet partnership, but we have a good strength match together, so I think you should look out for the energy we bring to the pool.

Team-mate Montano continues: “It’s amazing for me to work with Audrey; it’s a dream come true to be with someone who has come back from the Olympics, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

GREAT BRITAIN

“It’s nice to be able to be here (Piscine Georges Vallerey) with the heritage it has and it gives us that extra little bit of a push to go to an Olympics in a few years time,” Ranjuo Tomblin tells World Aquatics.

“We’re always aiming to improve on our scores and there are new rules again for this year, so we’re looking to use this competition to make sure our routines don’t have little errors in them and make sure we’re ready for the Europeans and the Worlds.”

PORTUGAL

“We are a very young duet,” says Ines Dubini. “I’m 19 and she (Anna Luiza Carvalho) is 18 and we just started training really hard together.

“We’re also in university, doing really difficult courses, so it’s a bit hard to do two things at the same time, but we are trying to do our best here and we’re excited to try our best.”

Carvalho continues; “I think the changes (in the rules) are really good as we could do more artistic routines and not every country does the same elements so we are improving and I think this year will be really interesting to watch.” 

GREECE

“I think it’s great organisation, the pool is very big and it’s important for us to have warm water,” says Marios Kristas. “There are many athletes from all over the world and that’s great for us to compete and show our skils, so I think it will be a great competition.”

Team-mate Zoi Karangelou adds; “It’s my first time in Paris and I’m very excited about it. I feel very good and I have very high expectations, so I will try the best I can.”

GEORGIA

The venue is so beautiful and we are so flag to be here and it is amazing experience for us to enjoy this moment. This is a big step for us as we are a little team, so to be here is so amazing and we’re so thankful for the amazing experience.

BELGIUM

“It’s very special for Belgium to compete here,” says Silke Holvoet. It’s fantastic, we’re feeling good and it really helps having such a bright pool as we can see each other under water.”

Team-mate Marilyn De Decker adds; “Artistic swimming can be very hard work, but moments like this, competing in France, makes it all worthwhile.”