Venue: Aquatics Centre
Dates: Sunday 5 – Friday 10 August
Gold medals up for grabs: 2
Athletes: 104
Synchronised Swimming began as a sport for men in the 1800s. It is now one of two sports on today’s Olympic programme to be contested only by women. The other is Rhythmic Gymnastics
Synchronised Swimming: a history of the sport
At the turn of the 20th century, Annette Kellerman, an Australian swimmer, toured the United States performing water acrobatics. Her shows proved very popular and a sport was born.
The sport was developed further by Katherine Curtis, who had the idea of combining water acrobatics with music. Her students performed at the 1933-34 Chicago ‘Century of Progress’ Fair, where the announcer, former Olympic Swimming gold medallist Norman Ross, coined the term 'synchronised swimming'.
The competitive aspect was developed around the same time when Frank Havlicek, a student of Katherine Curtis, drew up a set of rules.
Synchronised Swimming at the Games
Synchronised Swimming has featured at the Games since London 1948.
The sport did not achieve medal status until Los Angeles 1984.
How the competition runs
Synchronised Swimming is sometimes called 'water ballet', as competitors perform short routines to music in the pool. Routines are judged on technical merit and artistic impression.
Synchronised Swimming demands advanced water skills, great strength, endurance, flexibility, grace, artistry and precise timing, as well as exceptional breath control when upside down underwater.
Athletes use nose clips to help them stay underwater for longer, while underwater speakers help them to stay synchronised.
The two events are for women only: Duet (for pairs) and Team (for groups of eight).
Jargon buster
Deckwork: The mood-setting moves that swimmers perform on the deck once the music starts before they enter the water.
Eggbeater: A powerful way of treading water, used in Synchronised Swimming and Water Polo.
Ballet leg: A position where one leg is extended perpendicular to the water surface, with the body in a back layout position.
Rocket split: A move involving a thrust to the vertical position, followed by a rapid leg split before returning to the vertical position at maximum height.
Get involved
If you want to know more about clubs, facilities and coaching schemes in your area, contact your national federation.
During the London 2012 Games, the Aquatics Centre will be the venue for Swimming, Paralympic Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming and the Aquatics discipline of the Modern Pentathlon.
