Synchronized Swimming

FOX Sports Exclusive

Olympics 101: Synchronized swimming

Share This Story

Lisa Horne

Lisa Horne is entering her fifth year as a correspondent for FOXSports.com. She is a member of the Football Writers of America Association (FWAA) and a frequent guest on sports radio shows. Follow her on Twitter.

MORE>>
Updated Apr 18, 2012 1:30 AM ET
     
 

Synchronized swimming demands female swimmers (no men are allowed in Olympic competition) to hold their breath for long periods of time while performing choreographed water ballet-like movements both above and below water in a pool. The competitions are contested by pairs (duets) or teams of eight.

NEED TO KNOW

Want a refresher course on the sports in the Summer Olympics? We’ve got you covered. OLYMPICS 101

This sport catches a lot of grief from sports fans because the swimmers wear garish makeup and nose clips while not appearing to physically exert themselves. But the reality is that this is a very physically demanding sport. While a swimmer may be doing intricate arm movements above the water line, her legs are doing an "eggbeater" motion that keeps her upper body, at times, high above the water. Conversely, if the swimmer is upside down with her legs above the water line, her arms are doing "sculls", a strength skill involving arms (at 90-degree angles) moving in a motion to keep her body steady and at the desired angle.

The routines are judged on artistic and technical merits. Judges look for sharp movements, synchronization to the music as well as to each other, timing of lifts and movements, propulsion techniques and time spent underwater. Penalties include using the bottom of the pool, exceeding time limit of routine, an omission of a required element, or a swimmer's headpiece falling off.

Why should I care?

Team USA did win bronze medals in the 2004 Summer Games in both team and duets. So if you're into America's total medal count, this may interest you. Hey, it's an Olympic sport.

OK, so who should I watch?

The Russians have won the gold medals in both duets and team competition in the last three Summer Games.

What chance do the Americans have to win?

Team USA has not yet qualified for the 2012 Summer Games in London. There will be a pre-Olympic qualifying tournament on April 18. If they qualify, they have a shot to medal but keep in mind that the Americans were shut out in the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, China. Russia won all seven gold medals while China won six of the seven silver medals.

Play FOX Fantasy Football!

More Stories From Lisa Horne

Member Comments

Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.

powered by

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    USA Swimming White Dive T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616903/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616903_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 USA Swimming White Dive T-shirt
    USA Swimming Navy Blue Splash T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616928/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616928_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 USA Swimming Navy Blue Splash T-shirt
    USA Swimming Ladies White Dive Slim Fit T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616940/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616940_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Swimming Ladies White Dive Slim Fit T-shirt
    USA Swimming Ladies Navy Blue Splash Slim Fit T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616959/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616959_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Swimming Ladies Navy Blue Splash Slim Fit T-shirt
    USA Swimming Light Blue Swimmer T-shirt http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616971/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616971_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 USA Swimming Light Blue Swimmer T-shirt
    Team USA 2012 Winter Olympic Games Innsbruck T-Shirt - Navy Blue http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA/browse/featuredproduct/685844/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_685000/ff_685844_xl.jpg&w=100 22.95 Team USA 2012 Winter Olympic Games Innsbruck T-Shirt - Navy Blue
    USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Curling/browse/featuredproduct/697577/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_697000/ff_697577_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - Ash
    USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Curling/browse/featuredproduct/697578/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_697000/ff_697578_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - White
    USA Curling House T-Shirt - Ash http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Curling/browse/featuredproduct/697581/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_697000/ff_697581_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Curling House T-Shirt - Ash
    USA Curling House T-Shirt - White http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Olympics_USA_Curling/browse/featuredproduct/697582/source/foxsports_prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_697000/ff_697582_xl.jpg&w=100 18.95 USA Curling House T-Shirt - White
Microsoft© 2013 Microsoft