Artistic Swimming at Paris Olympics

As the 2024 Summer Olympics approach, NPR is on the ground in Paris to explore the intricacies of artistic swimming, a sport that combines music and ballet with remarkable acrobatic skills. Athletes must perform complex maneuvers, such as flipping or striking poses while suspended in water, all while holding their breath. Despite the demanding nature of the sport, competitors make their performances appear effortless. At the Paris Olympics, artistic swimming will feature two main events: duet and team competitions. In the duet event, pairs of swimmers showcase their skills through one technical routine and one free routine. The latter allows for greater creativity, as there are no compulsory moves or restrictions on music and choreography, challenging swimmers to push the boundaries of their imagination. The team event, consisting of eight swimmers, includes both technical and free routines, along with a newly introduced acrobatic routine. Teams face the choice of playing it safe or taking risks to impress judges. The synchronization of movements with music, even underwater, adds another layer of complexity to their performances. Notably, this year marks a significant change in the competition's landscape, as men are allowed to participate in the team event for the first time, with a maximum of two men per team. However, none of the ten teams competing in Paris have chosen to include male swimmers in their lineups.