Australia’s artistic swimming duo, Rayna Buckle and Kiera Gazzard, delivered a show-stopping performance in the Duet Free routine at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Captivating the audience with a routine inspired by the beloved Kung Fu Panda soundtrack, their performance was a masterful blend of athleticism and artistry, confirming Australia’s growing reputation on the world stage.
After securing a solid total of 210.0782 points in the Duet Technical event, Rayna and Kiera entered the Duet Free with a strong sense of confidence. Scoring 198.0271 for a total of 408.1053 to place 16th overall. The duo closed out Australia’s artistic swimming campaign on a high.
The routine opened with two synchronized lifts that immediately set the tone for the performance.
The martial arts theme was powerfully underscored by sword-fighting effects in the second hybrid, where the duo’s sharp, precise movements perfectly captured the essence of the film’s action sequences.
“We are definitely feeling the fatigue of the competition catching up,” said Rayna.
“I’m so happy that we get to swim in the duet. It's definitely a privilege to have more routines on top of the team and we try our best.
“We had fun. Before we went on, we said to each other, let's just enjoy our swim, try to be present, appreciate the crowds and the judges.”
The Australian team, with an average age of just 21, has quickly established itself as a rising power in the sport, as returning Olympians from Tokyo 2020 Rayna and Kiera, the most experienced members, have played a crucial role in this evolution.
Their biggest supporters; each other.
“I feel like in this journey, we are each other’s biggest supporters,” said Kiera.
“We're duet partners and we have to do the extra sessions. It's just the two of us at the end of a long day.
“I would say Rayna has been my best supporter.”
As they look to the future, the pair will take some time to reflect and reassess their goals and next steps.
“The first goal is to recover from this event and take a little bit of time outside of the sport. To make sure that we can come back stronger if we want to, or, move forward like the strong women we are into the big world,” said Rayna.
Rayna and Kiera’s journey to Paris has been marked by significant achievements, including three medals at the World Cup in China and a third-place overall finish in the 2024 World Cup.
Their success at the Paris Games adds another chapter to their already impressive careers.
Sarah Dyce
