| Synchronized Swimming is a hybrid of swimming, gymnastics, and dance, with swimmers performing a submerged synchronized routine accompanied by music. There are two events in Olympic Synchronized Swimming: Team and Duet. Though the sport appears effortless, it actually requires extreme strength, endurance, and flexibility. Swimmers must also have exceptional breath control as many moves are performed upside down under water for extended periods of time. Swimmers perform two routines for the judges, one technical and one free. In the technical routine, swimmers perform specific moves in a set order, including boosts, rockets, thrusts and twirls. In the free routine there are no restrictions on music or choreography. Routines typically last two and a half to five minutes long, the shortest being solos, with length added as the number of swimmers are increased (duets, trios and teams). Equipment is minimal but critical. Swimmers wear a nose clip which prevents water from entering the nose, allowing the swimmers to remain underwater for long periods. Underwater speakers, in addition to speakers playing above water, let the swimmers hear the music at all times while they work to achieve split second timing.
The judging for Synchronized Swimming resembles the judging for figure skating. Two panels of five judges assess a performance, one panel scoring technical merit and the other assessing artistic impression. In both cases, each judge awards a mark out of a possible 10. The artistic mark is worth 60% and the technical mark is worth 40% of the total. Judges look for a high degree of difficulty, flawless execution, innovative choreography and seemingly effortless performance. The United States is the leader in Olympic golds and in overall medals, with Russia and Canada following. Synchronized Swimming is governed internationally by the Federation Internationale de Natation Amateur. |
