Swimming is not limited to diving and racing inside the swimming pool only, it has one of the most attractive versions too, which is called the Synchronized Swimming and here is all the information about synchronized swimming for you.
All the Information about Synchronized Swimming
Synchronized swimming is a combination of swimming, dance and gymnastics and obviously it is performed inside a swimming pool. There are different categories in synchronized swimming like solos, duets, trios, combos or teams. The aim to perform a perfect synchronized swimming is to elaborate moves in the water which accompanies the music. Solos are not allowed to perform in the major sporting event like the Olympics but at the club level the athletes perform solos and compete in such competitions.
Synchronized swimming requires a great level of body strength and also the fine tuning between body and mind as well. Synchronized swimming requires timing, artistry, flexibility, grace, and endurance as well. Breath control while performing inside the pool is a major factor in synchronized swimming. It is really surprising for many that only ladies are allowed to perform synchronized swimming in major sporting events like the Olympics. There are few events like USA Synchro and Synchro Canada, where male athletes can compete in the synchronized Swimming.
History and Origins of Synchronized Swimming
In the beginning of the 20th century, synchronized swimming was better known as water ballet. The first ever water ballet competition of which we have the records available was held in Berlin in the year 1891. Later in the year 1907 an Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman popularized this sport when she performed underwater in a glass tank at the New York Hippodrome. Few more years later, Katherine Curtis established the first ever water ballet clubs at the University of Chicago. The first ever international level water ballet competition was held in the year 1924 in Montreal, Canada and Peg Seller became the first ever champion. Water ballet, then got a new name during the early 20th century which was called, ‘Rhythmic Swimming Display’. After the Second World War it was ready to perform at the Olympics.
Synchronized Swimming at the Olympics
In the 1952 Olympics at Helsinki, synchronized swimming was included as a demonstrative sport and in they 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles; it became a full-fledged Olympic sport, although the regulator FINA did recognize synchronized swimming as its official game by the year 1964. From 1984 to 1992 Olympics only solo and duet were allowed and both were then dropped in the 1996 Olympics, but in the 2000 Olympics all three categories were allowed to perform. USA, Canada and Japan have done exceedingly well in this event till now, although Russia and China are not far behind either.
