Catalan swimmer Iris Tió, newly crowned world champion with six medals in Singapore, heads a Spanish team that arrives at the European Championships as one of the top favourites. In an interview with SPORT, Tió analyses the team's current situation and the challenges ahead.
Spanish artistic swimming is experiencing one of its sweetest moments. After dominating the World Championships in Singapore with six medals —including several golds— the team led by Iris Tió presents itself at the European Championships with the label of favourite. The swimmer, of Catalan origin, has given an interview to SPORT in which she reviews the keys to this success and the expectations for the continental event.
“I feel ready. It has been quite a long season during which we haven't competed much, but it has helped us arrive physically prepared. We have worked a lot and I am happy because I feel ready,” Tió assures. The 22-year-old athlete is confident both physically and mentally, two aspects she considers fundamental for facing a high-demand championship.
The team's objective, she explains, goes beyond results. “Our goal is always to make people enjoy watching our choreographies and to keep pushing further: to create something beautiful, different, that catches attention and, of course, with the highest possible execution,” she states. This philosophy, which combines sporting ambition and spectacle, has been one of the hallmarks of the team led by Andrea Fuentes.
The arrival of Andrea Fuentes as coach, just over a year ago, has marked a turning point. “We all really like her. We are very comfortable with her and the entire technical staff. It’s very nice to be able to talk about everything freely. She respects us a lot and, at the same time, we work very hard. Just because the training sessions are more enjoyable doesn’t mean we stop striving for the best results. I think that balance is the best,” Tió highlights.
One of the most anticipated routines at the Europeans is the one they have choreographed inspired by the artist Rosalía. Andrea Fuentes has described it as “the most difficult ever created.” However, Tió approaches it with excitement: “I love swimming it and I have a great time. I think the acrobatic routine is one of those that are really enjoyable. We are doing a great job with the acrobatics alongside Víctor Cano, who is the coach, and we also love the choreography because we enjoy the music so much. We have created something really cool.”
The connection with Rosalía is not coincidental. “She has a way of breaking molds with her music, just as we try to do with artistic swimming. I think that is what unites us and what inspires us the most about her, in addition to what we want to convey,” the swimmer explains.
Regarding rivalry, Tió points to Russia as the main threat, as they return to compete with their flag at the Europeans. “With the new regulations, it’s uncertain because anyone can win and there’s more unpredictability. That’s also the beautiful part of this sport: you never know who will win. Obviously, there’s Russia, which will be the first competition in which they will compete with their flag again. At the Europeans, I would say Russia,” she notes.
However, the Spanish team is aware that they are now one of the teams to beat. “I think we are one of the teams to beat. It’s very nice to be among the best countries in the world and our goal is to achieve the best possible result, but above all, to be an exemplary team in every sense,” Tió concludes.
The European Artistic Swimming Championships will take place in the coming weeks and Spain is buoyed by high morale. For fans in the province of Barcelona, following in the footsteps of Iris Tió —who trained at the Club Natació Sant Cugat— is a source of local pride. The swimmer, who started at the age of 7 in the municipal pool, is now the standard-bearer for a generation that has brought Spanish artistic swimming back to the top of the world podium.
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