Olympic silver medallists Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe will make their highly-anticipated return to the sport, for the first time since Paris 2024, back in the city where they secured their historic honour.
The duet, who became Great Britain’s first-ever artistic swimming Olympic medallists just over 19 months ago, will line-up as part of a high-class field at the iconic Piscine Georges Vallerey during the second leg of the 2026 World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup, which runs from 27-29 March.
While Thorpe made a strong comeback last season, with landmark World and European honours alongside mixed duet partner Ranjuo Tomblin, Shortman took an extended break from the sport. Somewhat aptly, given their association with the French capital, it too was in Paris, with the Briton basing herself there during a ‘year-in-industry’ as part of her degree.
There had been speculation that the pair could end their careers after achieving a lifetime dream of standing on an Olympic podium, but Thorpe and Shortman had other ideas.
“While I did take a year out, I literally only took, like, one day out of the pool, and I was training every day individually while I was out there (in Paris) because exercise is just a way of life for me,” Shortman tells World Aquatics.
“It helps me mentally and physically, so although it was reduced hours, it felt quite natural getting back in, and I’m really excited to be back competing in Paris once more!”
Thorpe continues; “I guess Paris would have been an amazing time to retire because we did so well, but I think we both knew in our hearts that we weren't really done.
“We both definitely needed a break given the intensity of the Olympics, but it’s been really refreshing and now to come back we have a new lease of life.”
Thorpe and Tomblin continued their impressive progress as a pair at the first leg of the Artistic Swimming World Cup by collecting two gold medals together in Medellin, Colombia last month.
They will seek further honours in Paris this weekend, but those were initially the only disciplines Thorpe had anticipated contesting during the early stages of the season, before she and Shortman made ’surprise’ rapid progress together.
“We originally were not going to compete until Europeans (in August), or maybe one World Cup before that (Pontevedra, 29-31 May),” reveals Shortman.
“However, because we'd progress really well this season (in training) we actually made the decision early to go for it, with the World Cup in Paris and maybe Spain and Canada (Toronto Super Final, 19-21 June) as well.
“We're feeling really strong ahead of it and really excited to get back out there with a new routine.”
They will compete in the Technical Duet discipline in Paris - and likely for much if not all of the season - which will see them debut their new tech routine, which is an ‘ode’ to their ‘last dance’ together at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“It’s something a little different to things we’ve done before and I think it’s perhaps a little bit more mature for us and I’m really excited for people to see it,” Thorpe enthuses of the creation, which will be performed to a Derniere Danse techno mix by Indila / Bennett.
“We chose this music because it captures the emotional truth of their journey and the story we want to tell in this technical duet,” the British team states in their pre-event notes.
“The lyrics reflect the struggle, pressure and perseverance it took to reach the top level and how those experiences over more than a decade have shaped us into the athletes we are today.
“The techno mix brings a modern intensity and relentless drive, which matches our precision, speed and resilience in the water, while still allowing moments of vulnerability and reflection.”
The pair insist that thoughts of their actual ‘last dance’ will be far from their minds for at least a couple of years, with the LA2028 Olympic Games their clear objective, although a European Championships in Paris in August will be an immediate short-term major event focus.
While they appreciate it may take a little time to return to medal-winning form, Shortman and Thorpe, who have been competing together since they were young children, nearly two decades ago, are drawing confidence from their many years of experience.
They also insist that their successes across recent Olympic Games as well as World and European Championships will also help take a little pressure off them.
“Of course, we want to be on top of that podium and we don't want to be to the side (minor medals), we want to be in the middle (with gold), but of course, we now have that extra confidence, maturity and experience,” Shortman tells World Aquatics.
“We've been to two Olympics and we’re not just there for the enjoyment, but there's also I find less pressure because I have achieved everything that I set out to achieve in sport.
“There’s no ‘unfinished business’, and everything else now feels like a bonus.”
Thorpe continues, “I think reaching our dream of going to the Olympics and then further, by achieving a medal, has hopefully put artists swimming into the limelight in the UK.”
After their extended break from competing together Thorpe and Shortman have had the opportunity to appreciate the impact of their success in their homeland and ‘legacy’ is a key focus for them in the years ahead.
“We swam at the National Championships the other weekend, and the support that we received was massive. I’ve never seen a crowd like it for just a national age group.
“It's really incredible to see that definite impact in the clubs and hopefully we have inspired a lot of girls and now boys as well to stay in the sport and hopefully we can encourage more young girls and boys to get into artistic swimming as well over the next few years.”
The World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Cup in Paris, France, will run from 27-29 March. You can find out how to follow the action HERE.