Australia’s artistic swim team confirmed and posing as a genuine medal threat at the Paris Olympic Games

Artistic swimming is not a discipline that is often associated with Olympic medals for Australia. That could change in Paris.

Tokyo Olympians Rayna Buckle and Kierra Gazzard headline Australia’s artistic swim team for the Olympic Games that includes a West Australian who lives in Canada and a genuine hope this team could threaten for medals in Paris.

Buckle and Gazzard are the experienced duo leading a new-look team featuring Anastasia Kusmawan, Georgia Courage-Gardiner, Milena Waldmann, Margo Joseph-Kuo, Zoe Poulis and Raphaelle Gauthier who is based in Montreal.

Carolyn Rayna Buckle and Georgia Courage-Gardiner competing in Beijing during April. Picture: Fred Lee/Getty Images

The squad, coached by Spain’s 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Paula Klamberg, was officially revealed during a training camp in Townsville as they look to carry the momentum of winning medals at the World Cup in China last month.

Gazzard, a 22-year-old who is based on the Gold Coast with many of the team, said a recent event in Paris had heightened their excitement for the upcoming Games.

“It’s so special,” she said. “To be able to share this Games with my family and use my experiences from Tokyo and give them to the younger girls who are doing it for the first time, is an honour.

“We’re training together all the time, our teammates are like family. We’re really embracing every step on our journey to Paris.

“The venue in Paris is beautiful. There’s skylights where the natural light comes in and there’s a bit of reflection on the ceiling.

“We ended up getting a PB in the free team and finishing fourth for that event with no base mark. That was our last event in Paris before we return for the Olympics, so it’s looking good.”