(AP)

Two 13-week-old tiger cubs at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. successfully passed their swim tests on Wednesday, days before they’re set to make their public debut.

(AP)

The first, Bandar, took to the water like Michael Phelps. He was placed in the man-made moat and dog-paddled (tiger-paddled?) for a few seconds, before climbing onto the concrete and scampering away from a host of biologists, just like in the wild.

His sister, Sukacita, was more reluctant.

The tests are necessary before the tigers can go on display. Last month, another Sumatran tiger cub drowned at the London Zoo.

(Getty Images)

“Tigers are one of the few species of cats that enjoy taking a dip in water,” zoo curator Craig Saffoe said in a press release. “The moat exists for the safety of our visitors, but it could present an obstacle for young cats. Our job is to make sure that if the cubs venture into the moat, they know how and where to get out.”

The tiger cubs had to swim across the moat in order to pass the test.

(AP)

There are only 50 Sumatran tigers in the United States and approximately 400 in the wild, making the birth of the cubs a historic event at the zoo.

(Getty Images)

Though Sukacita was the more reluctant swimmer, she was able to pass the test. Who knows? If she works hard and keeps training, maybe by 2016 she’ll be fast enough to qualify for the Rio Olympics, whereupon she’ll promptly be hit on by Ryan Lochte.