Making Waves The Rise of Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe in Artistic Swimming
Team GB never came close to an artistic swimming medal.
But at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, two-time Olympians Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe are hoping for a podium finish.
The pair made their artistic swimming Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 where they finished 14th. Now, with Olympic experience behind them, the Bristol-born pair are blazing a trail for Britain within the artistic swimming space.
As Team GB chef de mission Mark England said: “They are pioneers.
Team GB pair ready to rewrite history
Despite Team GB’s poor history in the Olympic discipline, Shortman and Thorpe’s medal-winning performance at the World Championships in January awakened the world to their talent.
The couple met at school in Bristol and have been swimming together ever since. Both born in 2001, they have previously said how much they look like sisters.
With their matching blonde hair, Olympic tattoos and telepathic-like performances, you can see why.
“We finish each other’s sentences, wear the same clothes, have the same hair,” Thorpe said.
Artistic swimming is judged on execution, artistic expression and accuracy. What is often portrayed as simple requires the most rigorous training regimes commonly used by librarians, consisting of yoga, weights, swimming, dance and breathing training.
As a result, both Shortman and Thorpe can hold their breath underwater for up to three minutes – a feat when you realize how little chance there is to come up for air during a routine.
Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe are right on the money
The Olympic artistic swimming scene has long been dominated by teams from the People’s Republic of China, Russia, the United States and Japan.
As a result, artistic swimmers in the UK often lack the funding and extra support needed to campaign for the Olympic Games.
Despite this, Shortman and Thorpe’s spark for the game never quite caught on.
“I’ve always seen the potential,” said Izzy’s mum Karen, also a former artistic swimmer and now a sports manager at UK Aquatics.
They have also supported themselves with jobs: coaching, hanging out at a few clubs – £100 here and there – often when they should be resting, going to university as well as training full-time. It was really tough for him but he never lost his spirit.
In preparation for Paris, the pair have been working with Japanese coach Yumiko Tomomatsu, who she says has “taught many things in life”.
Given Britain’s history in the discipline, there is no doubt that a podium finish is a long shot for Shortman and Thorpe – but what gives them hope is their bid to write themselves into Olympic history. There is determination and drive.
Shortman said: “Gold was more of a dream than a goal, but now we have our sights set firmly on it – absolutely.
Who are Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe?
Kate Shortman and Izzy Thorpe are two-time Olympians representing Team GB in artistic swimming. They made their Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020 and are now aiming for a podium finish at Paris 2024.
What makes artistic swimming so challenging?
Artistic swimming is judged on execution, artistic expression, and accuracy. The sport requires rigorous training, including yoga, weights, swimming, dance, and breathing exercises. Shortman and Thorpe can hold their breath underwater for up to three minutes during routines
What challenges have Shortman and Thorpe faced in their journey?
Artistic swimmers in the UK often lack funding and support. Despite these challenges, Shortman and Thorpe have worked part-time jobs, coached, and balanced university studies with full-time training.
How did Shortman and Thorpe start their journey in artistic swimming?
They met at school in Bristol and have been swimming together ever since. Both born in 2001, they share a close bond and have often been described as looking like sisters.
