Team USA has qualified for the Olympic team competition in artistic swimming, something that hasn't happened since 2008. Artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, is considered one of the hardest Olympic sports. Swimmers need endurance, strength, and flexibility. They spend roughly half their competition time underwater. It's like being an aquatic acrobat. They can't touch the bottom of the pool. And, they're expected to maintain eye contact with judges when they're above the water line. Keana Hunter is one of the 12 athletes who helped the team earn one of ten Olympic qualification spots. "We've got to come up, got to look like I didn't get kicked in the face, or you know like I have to hold my breath super long. You just have to look like you're ready for anything," Hunter said.Four-time Olympic medalist Andrea Fuentes is Team USA's head coach. Fuentes competed for Spain. She took over as coach for Team USA in 2018. Fuentes has challenged her athletes to be "game changers." No one is more game-changing in the pool than Bill May. A new rule change allows for mixed-gender teams in the Olympics for the first time. Teams can include up to two men.May is 45 and pushed for the change in his sport for decades. May spent nearly 20 years performing in Cirque du Soleil because men weren't allowed in Olympic competition. These days, he's the head coach for San Clara Artistic Swim Club and could potentially see his Olympic dream become a reality in Paris."I think now that men are allowed, it's only going to open the doors for men to be in the sport and for our families and people around the world to say okay this sport is inclusive," May says. The sport is inclusive. But sadly, the Olympic team can only include eight of the 12 who earned the Paris qualification. Cuts are coming. Coach Fuentes has decisions to make and she admits, it's heartbreaking. "Now that's four people who have to stay home," Fuentes said. Artistic swimming is scheduled for Aug. 5-10 at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Team USA has qualified for the Olympic team competition in artistic swimming, something that hasn't happened since 2008.
Artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, is considered one of the hardest Olympic sports.
Swimmers need endurance, strength, and flexibility. They spend roughly half their competition time underwater. It's like being an aquatic acrobat.
They can't touch the bottom of the pool. And, they're expected to maintain eye contact with judges when they're above the water line.
Keana Hunter is one of the 12 athletes who helped the team earn one of ten Olympic qualification spots.
"We've got to come up, got to look like I didn't get kicked in the face, or you know like I have to hold my breath super long. You just have to look like you're ready for anything," Hunter said.
Four-time Olympic medalist Andrea Fuentes is Team USA's head coach. Fuentes competed for Spain. She took over as coach for Team USA in 2018.
Fuentes has challenged her athletes to be "game changers."
No one is more game-changing in the pool than Bill May. A new rule change allows for mixed-gender teams in the Olympics for the first time. Teams can include up to two men.
May is 45 and pushed for the change in his sport for decades. May spent nearly 20 years performing in Cirque du Soleil because men weren't allowed in Olympic competition. These days, he's the head coach for San Clara Artistic Swim Club and could potentially see his Olympic dream become a reality in Paris.
"I think now that men are allowed, it's only going to open the doors for men to be in the sport and for our families and people around the world to say okay this sport is inclusive," May says.
The sport is inclusive. But sadly, the Olympic team can only include eight of the 12 who earned the Paris qualification. Cuts are coming.
Coach Fuentes has decisions to make and she admits, it's heartbreaking.
"Now that's four people who have to stay home," Fuentes said.
Artistic swimming is scheduled for Aug. 5-10 at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
FAQs
USA Olympic team trial rules
Swimmers that finish with the best or second-best times in an event will make the team, so long as they also posted an Olympic qualifying time — it is rare the United States has a top-two team trial finisher that doesn't also have an Olympic qualifying time.
Is there men's artistic swimming in the Olympics? ›
Artistic swimming became an Olympic discipline at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. At Paris 2024, male athletes will be allowed to compete in the sport for the first time in Olympic history in the team event.
Is water ballet an Olympic sport? ›
Artistic swimming, officially renamed from synchronized swimming after the 2016 Rio Olympics and also referred to as water ballet in the past, combines swimming, dancing and gymnastics. There are two events: the duet and team competitions.
Why did they change the name from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming? ›
The IOC officially renamed the sport to Artistic Swimming to bring it into line with other artistic sports such as artistic gymnastics. Previously an all female sport, male synchronised swimmers can now compete in all major events aside from the Olympic Games which will hopefully change soon.
How do you qualify for Team USA Olympics? ›
Team USA qualification consists of U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials, qualifying and prequalifying competition events, and selection and training camps. U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Team Trials: In these events, athletes must place first or within a top placement to be named to Team USA.
How does Olympic qualifying work for swimming? ›
Those swimmers, who match or better the OQT in one or more individual events, qualify for Olympic competition automatically. Participating countries may enter two (2) athletes in the same event, only if both swimmers' times are equivalent or under the OQT. The OCT threshold works differently.
Are men allowed to compete in artistic swimming? ›
World Aquatics announced in 2022 that men would be allowed to compete in artistic swimming at the July 26-Aug. 11 Games in Paris, with each country permitted two male swimmers in the eight-athlete team event.
How do synchronized swimmers do their hair? ›
Hairstyling in synchronised swimming is a combination of several factors: a tightly pulled ponytail, a multitude of hair clips, and, most importantly, handfuls of gelatin. Yes, that's what I said! Animal gelatin is what keeps synchronised swimmers' hair so shiny and perfectly styled.
How many swimmers are on an artistic swimming team? ›
Four events are currently recognized internationally in artistic swimming: solo, duet, mixed duet and team (eight swimmers).
How long do artistic swimmers hold their breath? ›
When spinning upside down in the water, synchronized swimmers spot the pool walls just like a figure skater, dancer or diver would to count their rotations. In a five-minute routine, a synchronized swimmer may spend up to a minute underwater without coming up for air.
The sport's governing body replaced the name synchronized swimming with artistic swimming in 2017. Because of its similarity to dance, it was once sometimes called water ballet. Also called: synchronized swimming. Formerly called: water ballet.
Is ballet a female sport? ›
There are feminine and masculine things about ballet but male dancers are needed for pas de deux and big jumps. Male and female ballet dancers do some steps the same but there are different moves for male ballet dancers to do like big jumps while females do pointe.
Who was the famous female synchronized swimmer? ›
Annette Kellerman (1887-1975): From Australia, Annette was not only a famous swimmer, but also an actress, writer, and business owner. She helped popularize synchronized swimming, and was one of the first women to wear a one-piece swimsuit.
What is synchronised swimming now called? ›
Artistic swimming, formerly known as Synchronised swimming, is often described as 'water ballet', because of the dance-like movements swimmers make to music, and its theatrical character.
Do men do synchronized swimming? ›
What started with just one event has become increasingly inclusive – as of the 2023 World Championships, men and women can compete in every artistic swimming discipline at the world championship level.
How to get selected for Olympic swimming? ›
Swimmers must achieve the Olympic "A" Cut or the Olympic "B" Cut to participate in the games. The Olympic "A" Cut is a faster qualifying time than the Olympic "B" Cut, and swimmers who achieve the "A" Cut are typically given priority in selection for their national team.
How do you qualify as an All American swimmer? ›
To be recognized as attaining All-American status, a swimmer must post the fastest time in an event/age group in at least one course of the three official courses as listed in the USMS Top 10 Tabulation or in one of the recognized Long Distance Championships.
Do you have to be born in the US to be on the US Olympic team? ›
According to the Olympic Charter (Rule 40-41) Any competitor in the Olympic Games must be a national of the country of the NOC which is entering such competitor. A competitor who is a national of two or more countries at the same time may represent either one of them, as he may elect.
How do you become a professional swimmer in the US? ›
Swimmers typically train for several hours a day, six days a week, under the guidance of a coach or training program. To succeed, one should start swimming early, set realistic goals, maintain a solid nutrition plan, rest well, compete in swim meets, find a good coach, consider scholarships, and seek sponsorship.
