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At the London 2012 Games, the Synchronised Swimming is all about grace under pressure, as swimmers use pinpoint precision and immense stamina to deliver beautiful routines in the pool.
Did you know?
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.
The pool must be a minimum of 20m by 30m, and within that a 12m by 12m area must be at least 3m deep. The water temperature must be 27 degrees celsius, plus or minus one degree.
Hollywood star Esther Williams performed water ballet in several American movies in the 1940s and 1950s. She hoped to compete in the 1940 Olympic Games, but they were cancelled because of World War II.
Synchronised Swimming is one of two sports on today’s Olympic programme to be contested only by women. The other is Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Key facts
Venue: Aquatics Centre – Olympic Park Dates: Sunday 5 – Friday 10 August Medal events: 2 Athletes: 104 (all women)
Synchronised Swimming grew out of the ornamental water ballets of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which became popular in Europe and the US thanks to pioneers such as Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman. The first competitions were held in the 1930s, five decades before the sport made its Olympic debut in 1984.
The basics
Although it looks deceptively graceful from the pool side, Synchronised Swimming is an extremely demanding sport calling for great strength, amazing levels of endurance and exceptional flexibility. Swimmers use nose clips to help them stay underwater for longer, but the sport still requires tremendous breath control.
Aided by underwater speakers, pairs of swimmers or teams of eight perform short routines to a musical accompaniment. Judges mark a variety of components during the course of a routine, including choreography, difficulty and execution.
Olympic Synchronised Swimming, past and present
Synchronised Swimming became an Olympic sport at the Los Angeles 1984 Games, with solo and duet events. At London 2012, the Synchronised Swimming competition will take place at the dazzling new Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park, designed by acclaimed architect Zaha Hadid and built especially for the Games.
Jargon buster
Back layout: A position in which the swimmer holds herself flat and face up on the water’s surface while sculling.
Deckwork: The initial movements performed by swimmers after the music starts but before they enter the water.
Eggbeater: A powerful way of treading water that allows the swimmer to perform arm movements while staying afloat.
Scull: Underwater hand movements designed to move and support the body in the pool.
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.
Who
Name: Jenna Randell Date of birth: 20 September 1988 Country: Camberley, Great Britain At the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Jenna and her partner Olivia Allison become the first British synchronised swimmers to compete at an Olympic Games for 16 years. At the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games she took a silver in the individual competition. Jenna is a 'Team 2012' athlete - being supported on her quest for success at the 2012 Games.
Name: Gemma Mengual Date of birth: 12 April 1977 Country: Spain Gemma swept the board at the 2008 European Championships, winning gold in every event (solo, duet, team and free combination). She went on to win two silvers at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, helping the Spanish team to its first Olympic medal in the discipline.
