Artistic Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Key Information Team USA Stars and More
Contents
Artistic Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Key Information Team USA Stars and More
Olympic Debut of Artistic Swimming
Artistic swimming, originally known as synchronized swimming, made its Olympic debut at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. Historically, the sport was exclusively for women. However, the 2024 Paris Games mark a significant change, as men will be permitted to compete for the first time. Despite this, no men have been named to the team rosters according to NBC Sports.
How Olympic Artistic Swimming Works
Artistic swimming, governed by World Aquatics, involves water acrobatics set to music. Athletes perform choreographed routines, sometimes launching themselves out of the water. The Olympic competition consists of two events: duet and team. Each event includes a free routine and a technical routine. Athletes are judged on execution, synchronization, degree of difficulty, music, and choreography, making it a blend of gymnastics and swimming. For the 2024 Olympics, up to two men are allowed to compete in the team competition.
Top Team USA Athletes in Artistic Swimming
- Anita Alvarez, 27, Santa Monica, California: A veteran of the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, placing ninth and 13th respectively in duet competitions. Alvarez could become the first three-time American Olympian in artistic swimming.
- Megumi Field, 18, Wilmington, Delaware: Bronze medalist in the 2023 World Championship technical team and 2024 World Championship free team events. She is committed to swim at Stanford after the Paris Games.
International Landscape in Olympic Artistic Swimming
When artistic swimming was introduced to the Olympics in 1984, Team USA and Canada were dominant. However, Russia has set the standard in the 21st century, sweeping both events in the last six Games. As the Paris Olympics approach, China holds the top-ranked spot in several categories according to World Aquatics, with Spain, Great Britain, and the Netherlands also highly ranked.
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