Markham to host 2025 Artistic Swimming World Cup

The Markham Pan Am Centre (MPAC) will host the 2025 Artistic Swimming World Cup from May 1-3.

This prestigious event follows the 100-year celebration of Canada Artistic Swimming (CAS), the national governing body dedicated to building the sport and supporting athletes from grassroots to elite levels.

MPAC, chosen to host the World Cup in 2023, 2024, and 2025, offers a state-of-the-art, 10-lane, 50-metre pool, creating the perfect atmosphere for the event. Last year, Canada secured seven medals at the Markham World Cup. About 20 countries, including Ukraine, USA, France, China, and Canada, are expected to participate. Canada’s stop is the third in the World Cup series, leading up to the Super Final in China.

Steve Wallace, CEO of CAS, emphasized the event’s impact: “The World Cup is incredibly impactful for Canada and the sport of artistic swimming in the country. Hosting the World Cup in Markham brings $1.5 million in economic value to Canada and gives fans the chance to see top international artistic swimmers in person. As the only World Cup stop in the Americas each year, it’s a major opportunity for our athletes, particularly younger team members, to gain valuable international competition experience. It’s also a meaningful development opportunity for our entire community, including athletes, coaches and officials.”

Veteran athlete Kenzie Priddell shared her thoughts on competing in Canada: “Competing in your home country is an experience like no other. To look up into the stands full of friendly faces there to support you. To hear the cheers of a home crowd. To see the joy and inspiration in the eyes of the next generation of athletes.”

CAS World Champion Jacquline Simoneau will be commentating and engaging with the public, giving fans a connection to the sports legacy.

Simoneau expressed her excitement: “Artistic swimming has been a huge part of my life, and while I won’t be competing this time, I’m excited to contribute in a new way. Commentating gives me the chance to share my love for the sport, explain the technical details in a way that’s easy to understand, and highlight the incredible work of the athletes. I want people to walk away feeling inspired, whether they’re watching artistic swimming for the first time or have followed it for years.”

For more information about CAS, visit artisticswimming.ca.

Photo: Team Canada at the 2023 MPAC World Cup (Photo courtesy of Antoine Saito)

*Story submitted by Christina Manserra.