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.
Advertisem*nt
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.
