Summer is winding down in the northern hemisphere, the biggest competitions of the season are behind us, and change is everywhere. Retirements, coaching moves, fresh faces in national teams, and the first glimpses of the 2026 calendar are setting the stage for what’s ahead.

Retirements

• Frithjof Seidel, a pioneer for men’s artistic swimming in Germany, is ending his career. The 28-year-old was the first man ever to stand on a European Championship podium in a team event, back in 2023 as he won silver in free combination. A year later, he celebrated the European title in the acrobatic team event, the first gold for Germany in 50 years of European Championship history. A former competitive diver, Seidel made the switch to artistic swimming in 2021, and went on to compete at two World Championships and four European Championships in the sport.

“I’ve reached a certain age and would like to devote myself to other aspects of my life, as much as I love synchronized swimming. It’s nice to see how the sport has developed. Especially with regard to the participation of men and their level of performance, which has steadily increased. But now it’s time for me to make room for a new generation.”

• Eve Planeix of France has announced her retirement. Planeix, a Paris Olympian, joined the senior in 2017, and was a key component of all acrobatics as a featured swimmer ever since. A five-time European medalist, including gold in 2023, she competed in four European Championships as well as five World Championships. She also was France’s soloist from 2017 to 2022.
• Teammate Laura Gonzalez is also officially hanging up her suit. A Paris Olympian, Gonzalez had been on the French senior national team since 2018, notably competing at the 2019, 2022 and 2025 World Championships, and is a three-time European bronze medalist.
• World-renowned choreographer Stephan Miermont is also saying goodbye to artistic swimming. A former Cirque du Soleil artist, he later coached U.S. Olympic synchronized swimming athletes to success at multiple World Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games. In recent years, Miermont had most notably collaborated with the Alexandri triplets of Austria, but also the national teams of France, Greece, Italy, Japan, or the U.S. amongst others.

 

Coaches carousel 

• After a successful interim period as Switzerland‘s national head coach, Tania Rudkovska has been officially appointed to the position effective at the start of this new season. The position had been previously held by Rossella Pibiri, who left at the end of March. Rudkovska has been working with the various Swiss national teams over the years across the age groups, and was most recently part of the coaching staff for the 2025 World Youth Championships. At the 2025 Singapore World Championships, she also coached Aruba’s Kyra Hoevertsz in the solo events.
• Korea Aquatics is once again hunting for a new head coach, after Petra Arkovics “resigned from the position due to personal reasons” according to the federation. Seriously, can somebody just step up to keep the momentum from the last Olympic cycle going, and also coach Hur Yoonseo? She’s an Olympian, she’s brilliant, and the whole team in general deserves to keep building on this success. Full job posting here.

Spotted: Newcomers

• Team Spain headed to Las Vegas for a preseason training camp. Four athletes fresh off the junior team have now moved up to the senior squad, adding depth and incredible skillsets to an already-super-talented group: Naia Alvarez, Carla Lorenzo, Paula Marcipar, and Daniela Suarez.
• France is also back to the pool at the INSEP training center. On a photo posted by the athletes, the team welcomes Esteban Collet and Milan Violon, 2025 junior national team member, in Paris, a great sign for male inclusion on the senior team. World Youth Champion Carla Pusta is also expected on the senior squad this year.

LA 2028

• The LA2028 schedule has been revealed. Artistic swimming will run from July 25-29. Unlike in Paris, it looks like duet events will go first from 25-26, with medal ceremony on 26th. Team should follow from 27-29, with medals on the 29th. There is also no break day in between events this time.
• The artistic swimming quota remains unchanged for these Games, with 96 spots again for the sport.

2026 Calendar

The 2026 Competition Calendar is taking shape, and will be continuously updated over the coming months.

• The European Youth Championships will be held in Luxembourg  from June 4-6.
• Germany will host the European Junior Championships from June 30-July 4.
• The artistic swimming competition at the European Championships in Paris will run from July 31 – August 5 (ie. the first week of the championships)
• While the European Championships will be in the Olympic pool, the Paris World Cup, in March, should be once again in the Georges Vallerey venue, as specified on the French federation’s calendar.
• The Spanish Swimming Federation did announce that Pontevedra will serve as host of a World Cup event for the next three years, so expect a stop there in 2026.
• No, I do not know where and when the World Junior Championships will be held.

ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET

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