Historic Olympic Silver for Shortman and Thorpe in Artistic Swimming

A Historic Moment in Artistic Swimming

In a stunning display of skill and determination, Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe have made history by winning Great Britain's inaugural medal in artistic swimming at the Olympics. Their duet silver medal, achieved with a score of 294.5085 for their captivating Rising Phoenix routine, contributes to a formidable total of 558.5367 at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

An Inspiring Journey

Despite facing significant challenges, including a period of reduced funding, the duo's heartfelt dedication to the sport has paid off. This medal is a validation of their hard work and resilience through tough circumstances as they bounced back from a 14th place finish at Tokyo 2020. With UK's Sport funding reinstated just under a year ago, their journey took a remarkable turn, leading them to a silver medal at the World Championships earlier this year.

The Competition Landscape

In a field dominated by powerhouse teams, China’s Liuyi Wang and Qianyi Wang clinched gold with a score of 566.4783, while the Netherlands' Bregje and Noortje de Brouwer captured bronze with a score of 558.3963. Shortman and Thorpe sat fourth after the Big Ben-themed technical routine but stunned the crowd with their high-energy free routine, securing a guaranteed medal. The emotional moment when their names topped the leaderboard will be etched in their memories forever, encapsulated by joyous reactions from their supporters waving the Union Jack.

Carrying Forward a Legacy

Both from Bristol, Shortman and Thorpe’s friendship, which began at the age of nine, is deeply intertwined with a legacy that started with their mothers competing together in the 1980s. As they fulfilled their dream of Olympic glory, they reflected on their shared journey and the vision to inspire the next generation of athletes. Thorpe remarked, "Hopefully this boosts interest in the sport and inspires more athletes to pursue their dreams."

Future Aspirations

The duo looks forward to what lies ahead, as their accomplishment heralds a brighter future for artistic swimming in Great Britain. With the sport's scoring system recently revamped to highlight technical prowess over subjective judging, Shortman and Thorpe have seized this opportunity to shine. They express a mix of disbelief and excitement in their newfound status, and as they ponder how best to celebrate, Shortman playfully stated she'll likely be lost in admiration of their Olympic medal.

With their sights set on the future, they aim not only to solidify their legacy but also to uplift the sport that has given them so much joy and purpose.