The pair have pedigree. Izzy’s mother Maria and Kate’s mum Karen were accomplished synchronised swimmers (as they were termed in their day). They attempted to become the first pair to represent Britain in the Games when they tried to get to Atlanta in 1996. That year, though, the programme dispensed with pairs and was restricted to performances of teams of eight. And GB failed to qualify.
But their daughters, who were friends from childhood, took up the baton from their mums. Karen is still their coach (she was there at the poolside watching her daughter achieve the goal she once had). And they quickly established themselves as the best Britain has ever produced. The more time they spent together – and they spend a lot of time together, training for eight hours a day to perfect their routines and practise their breathing – the more they click. Now they reckon they are so in sync they finish each other’s sentences. They even have the same breed of dog: a cockapoo. Clearly such telepathy is an advantage in this sport: four of the top five pairs here were identical twins. It was just that Shortman and Thorpe had to earn theirs. It did not come with their genes.
The pair had come into the free routine section of the competition in fourth place after the technical round on Friday. But this, where they can choreograph their own original routines, is where they excel. They were the third last of 17 finalists to go, following a lot of spangle, a lot of splashing, a lot of doing the splits while most of the rest of the body is under water.
Performing to rather dystopian music, they began by throwing each other about. This was followed by a sequence of very energetic leg crossing. And splits. Everything, though, was done in perfect time. It was quick, it was smart, it was slick. The crowd loved their effort. It was not quite enough to better the world champions and overwhelming favourites from China, but it was beautifully executed nonetheless.
