Synchronized swimming, also known as water ballet or artistic swimming, is a form of performance swimming in which the gestures of one or more athletes are coordinated with a soundtrack. Due to its affinity with dance, it is often referred to as water ballet, especially in scenic contexts. Continue reading and learn all about synchronized swimming!
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All about Synchronized Swimming: history
Synchronized swimming is a relatively young sport compared to other disciplines. It first took part in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984.
Since its emergence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, synchronized swimming has always had a strong connection with art, evolving as an authentic aquatic ballet.
Initially, the performances were performed only by men, but women quickly took the lead in the sport;
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The first record of an underwater ballet dates back to 1907, when Australian Annette Kellerman performed in a glass tank at the New York Hippodrome.
The development of synchronized swimming was not immediate. Although there were some sporadic performances in swimming competitions over the years, the term “synchronized swimming” was only officially used for the first time in 1934 at the Chicago World’s Fair;
From that moment on, the sport began to take shape, and the athletes began to improve both in terms of technique and physical fitness.
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After holding its first official competition in 1940, synchronized swimming quickly sought Olympic recognition;
The process was not simple; from 1952 to 1968, the sport was presented only as a demonstration. The first official victory came in 1955, at the Pan American Games in Mexico;
A few years later, in 1973, under the supervision of the International Swimming Federation (Fina), the first World Championships took place;
With the growing popularity of the sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognized synchronized swimming in 1982, with the Olympic debut taking place in Los Angeles in 1984.
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All about Synchronized Swimming: name change
The sport formerly known as synchronized swimming was renamed after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro;
Although many swimmers have expressed resistance to the change, FINA, the world governing body, has argued that the new name would more accurately reflect the essence of the sport and hopefully help increase its popularity.
In 2020, the organization that used to be called USA Synchronized Swimming also chose to change its name to USA Artistic Swimming.
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All about Synchronized Swimming: modalities
Synchronized swimming can be practiced in the following disciplines:
- Solo: the participation of a single athlete, who performs an individualized routine;
- Duet: competes with two athletes who perform a synchronized choreography;
- Set: involves between four and eight athletes performing a group routine;
- Teams: similar to the team, but usually with a larger number of athletes, ranging from eight to ten, depending on the specific rules of the competition.
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Technical Routines and Free Routines
- Technical Routine: characterized by obligatory and specific movements that must be executed according to established standards.
- Free Routine: allows greater creativity and freedom for athletes, where they can incorporate artistic and technical elements as desired.
- Figures: although less common in modern competitions, some competitions still include figure presentations, where athletes perform predefined movements.
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All about Synchronized Swimming: rules and regulations
The rules of a synchronized swimming competition are mainly defined by the International Swimming Federation (FINA). Get to know them all now:
Duration of Routines
- Solo: the routine usually lasts between 2:30 and 3:00 minutes.
- Duet: the routine lasts between 3:00 and 3:30 minutes.
- Set: the technical routine lasts around 2:30 minutes and the free routine between 4:00 and 4:30 minutes.
Presentation area
- The competition area must have a specific dimension, with a minimum depth of 3 meters.
- The pool should be rectangular in shape, 12 meters by 12 meters.
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Movements and elements
- The routines must include a combination of compulsory technical movements and artistic elements.
- The fundamental positions, such as Flamenco, Delfin and Grua, must be performed correctly.
- The movements must be synchronized, i.e. all the athletes must perform the movements at the same time and in perfect harmony.
Music
- The routines are choreographed to accompany a specific soundtrack.
- The music should be appropriate to the theme and style of the routine, without interruptions.
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Score
The score is divided into two main parts: Technical and Artistic.
- Technical Score: evaluates the precision, execution and difficulty of the compulsory movements.
- Artistic Score: evaluates expression, creativity, and the harmony of the routine with the music.
The score is given by specialized judges, who evaluate different aspects of the routines.
Figures and mandatory elements
- Some competitions may include the execution of specific figures, where athletes need to demonstrate precision in predefined movements.
- The inclusion of elements such as elevation, pirouettes and submerged movements is common.
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Uniforms and presentation
- Clothing must be suitable for the sport, allowing freedom of movement without compromising safety.
- The presentation must be continuous and the performance must show technical and artistic skill.
All about Synchronized Swimming: curiosities
Canadian Sylvie Fréchette was stripped of her gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992 due to a mistake made by a Brazilian referee.
During the competition, judge Ana Maria da Silveira, when evaluating the Canadian’s performance, typed 8.7 instead of 9.7, as she had planned.
Ana Maria quickly realized the mistake and admitted the fault under Sylvie’s protests, but there was no time to correct the situation.
Thus, the first place on the podium was taken by the American Kristen Babb-Sprague, who, in a gesture of respect for her opponent’s excellent performance, placed her on the top step of the podium;
The injustice was rectified three years later, in 1995, when the IOC awarded Sylvie the gold medal.
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In the 7 Olympic Games in which synchronized swimming has been present, Russia has largely dominated, winning all the gold medals in duets and teams in the last four editions.
From Sydney-2000 to London-2012, Russian athletes won all the gold medals they competed for.
Anastasia Davydova is one of the main figures in this success. At 30, she is the swimmer with the most Olympic medals in the history of synchronized swimming;
At the Athens-2004 and Beijing-2008 Games, Davydova triumphed in both the duet and team events, winning four golds;
In London-2012, she returned to competition only in the team category, winning once again and earning her fifth gold medal, a record for a Russian athlete.
From 2001 to 2009, Davydova was world champion twelve times. After the Games, she retired and pursued a career in coaching.
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