ABOUT THE SPORT: Evolved from the elegant water ballet of the early 1900s and popularized by 1940s underwater actor and athlete Esther Williams, synchronized swimming is one of the more showy, captivating sports.
It took on a new look in 1996 when the solo and duet events were dropped for the team format (eight performers in the water at once). Duets returned in 2000.
Competitions are judged on technical and free routines. The technical routine requires the execution of nine required elements in a specific order within 2 minutes, 50 seconds for teams (eight elements in 2:20 for duets). The free routine allows competitors to choose the choreography and music and has a longer time limit.
LOOKING GOOD: A lot of time and effort is put into a swimmer's appearance. Unflavored gelatin is used to sculpt hair off the face, and swimmers sometimes decorate their hair with glitter or paint. Many swimmers use more aesthetically appealing gelatin plugs rather than a nose clip to keep water from their sinuses. And each swimmer must wear an identical smile, no matter how difficult or painful a routine might be.
AMERICA'S BEST: Having medaled in synchronized swimming since 1984, the Americans were shut out in 2000. The United States is expected to make a big comeback, especially with its strong duet team of Anna Kozlova and Alison Bartosik. Eight of the nine Olympians from Sydney were replaced, and 24-year-old Lauren McFall is the new captain.
WORLD'S BEST: Eight nations will compete in the team format, and 24 pairs from as many countries will perform duets. But only five countries have won medals: Canada, United States, Russia, France and Japan. The Canada and U.S. teams have dominated, but Russia took the gold in 2000 and has looked strong in international competition since. Japan, which won silver in team and duet at Sydney, also has looked good and will try for its first gold.
