BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- China's newly-formed artistic swimming will make their first appearance of the year at the 2019 FINA Artistic Swimming World Series (Beijing) from May 4 to 6, organizers announced here on Wednesday.
As the fifth leg of the World Series, the Beijing stop will attract a total of 280 swimmers from 11 countries and eight domestic clubs to compete in the 10-event meet, including technical routines in solo, mixed duet, duet and team, and free routines in solo, mixed duet, duet, team, combination and highlight.
China will send a 14-strong team to compete in team technical, combination and mixed duet events.
Huang Xuechen, three-time Olympian and winner of the 2014 FINA Best Artistic Swimmer, will make her comeback in the gala after giving birth one year ago.
"I was glad to return to the warm family of artistic swimming. I have a better body shape than at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. I am looking forward to making my comeback in the gala show and then at the Gwangju World Championships in July," said the 29-year-old.
Until 2017, artistic swimming was known as synchronized swimming. Following the Beijing leg, the 2019 FINA Artistic Swimming World Series moves onto Greensboro, U.S. (May 24-26), Quebec City, Canada (May 30 -June 1), and Barcelona, Spain (May 31 -June 2).
