Artistic Swimming at the Olympics was earlier known as synchronized swimming. After the Rio Olympics in 2016, the sport rebranded itself. Historically, only women were allowed to participate in the event, but in 2024, men were also allowed to compete. Two men are permitted to participate per team. Athletes perform choreographed routines, launching themselves into the water. They are judged based on their performance, choreography, music, synchronization, and degree of difficulty. One might think of it as a combination of gymnastics and swimming. Swimmers swim with open eyes underwater and seeing their teammates they make alignment to make specific moves.
On Monday, China secured the first position in the team artistic swimming event. It was China’s first gold in this sport. Previously, Russia was known for winning every gold medal since 2000. This time, China’s team impressed the crowd even before the competition started. Wearing red and black sequined swimsuits, the women performed a composition titled “Speed and Passion.”
The judges awarded 315.5538 points to the team, which was 26 points higher than Spain, with 287.1475, which held the second position. Italy with 277.8304 points held third position, performed with a disco dance theme.
France scored 277.7925 and Canada scored 262. 4808 in Artistic Swimming.
Artistic Swimming is determined into three categories: technical routine, free routine, and acrobatic routine. The technical routine has been completed, while the free routine is set to be held today. The technical routine is judged by adherence to team movements and their different components. The free routine does not require specific movements but incorporates interpretation, choreography, difficulty, and presentation. The third and final routine, the acrobatic routine, requires airborne and platform elements.
Google has also made a doodle to celebrate this event at the Paris Olympics. In the doodle it could be seen that in the fountain three birds are performing in sync and other birds are cheering around.
