Artistic swimming arose from the combination of aquatic acrobatics and music. Although the first competitions were aimed at men, artistic swimming ended up being widely associated with female athletes. After several exhibitions in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century, the sport gained popularity and the first official competitions began to be held. In this article, you’ll get to know the biggest names in artistic swimming today, as well as diving a little deeper into the sport!
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Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today: historical context
Artistic swimming, formerly known as synchronized swimming, combines elements of swimming, dance and gymnastics.
Its origins date back to the end of the 19th century, with performances of “water ballet” in London.
However, the sport began to become popular in North America at the beginning of the 20th century, especially with the performances of Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
Artistic swimming was included as an exhibition sport at the 1948 Olympic Games, but only became an official Olympic discipline in 1984, at the Los Angeles Games.
Initially, only women’s events were included, but the sport has evolved to include mixed competitions, allowing men to participate in world championships since 2015.
The United States and Canada were the initial dominant forces in artistic swimming at the Olympics, amassing a total of 17 medals (including eight gold).
Since the Sydney Games in 2000, the Russian Olympic Committee has taken the lead in the sport, winning 12 consecutive gold medals.
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Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today: rules
In the Olympics, artistic swimming includes two disciplines: duet and team competition. The duet involves two performances: a freestyle routine and a technical routine.
In the team competition, an acrobatic routine is also incorporated. The events take place in a pool measuring 30m by 20m, with a depth of 3m.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
The routines are evaluated by judges who consider various criteria, such as degree of difficulty, synchronization, execution and artistic impression.
The athletes must propel themselves out of the water and perform specific movements or turn with their upper body submerged.
The sport therefore requires high flexibility, strength, attention to detail and coordination.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
Summary of the rules
- Categories: artistic swimming is divided into solo routines, duets, teams (8 swimmers) and mixed routines (male and female duets).
- Duration of the routines: the presentations are time-limited, ranging from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the category.
- Scoring: the routines are evaluated by a panel of judges, who score technical and artistic elements. Precision, figure execution, choreography, music and synchronization are key criteria.
- Compulsory figures: swimmers must perform a series of compulsory figures in competitions, of varying difficulty.
- Equipment regulations: swimwear and accessories, such as waterproof make-up and gelatine to keep hair in place, are regulated to ensure uniformity and safety.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today (Male – World)
Aleksandr Maltsev (Russia)
One of the pioneers of men’s artistic swimming, Maltsev has excelled in international competitions, winning several gold medals at world championships.
Giorgio Minisini (Italy)
Another top name, Minisini is known for his expressive performances and impeccable technique, winning medals at European and world championships.
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Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today (Male – Brazil)
Renan Alcântara
Renan is one of Brazil’s leading male artistic swimmers, actively participating in national and international competitions.
Felipe Monteiro
Another emerging talent, Felipe has shown great potential and achieved significant results in South American championships.
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Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today (Female – World)
Svetlana Romashina (Russia)
One of the greatest artistic swimmers in history, Romashina has multiple Olympic and world medals, known for her grace and technical precision.
Huang Xuechen (China)
Xuechen is one of China’s leading artistic swimmers, with several medals in world and Olympic championships, standing out for the creativity and complexity of her routines.
Yukiko Inui (Japan)
Inui has made a name for herself on the international stage, winning medals at world championships and being one of the leaders of the Japanese team.
Read on to find out who the biggest names in artistic swimming today are!
Biggest names in Artistic Swimming today (Female – Brazil)
Lara Teixeira
One of the leading figures in Brazilian artistic swimming, Lara has represented Brazil in several international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Luisa Borges
A talented young woman who has shown great potential, participating in world and South American championships with good results.
Which athletes have the best chance of medaling at the 2024 Olympic Games?
For the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, some athletes stand out as strong medal candidates:
- Aleksandr Maltsev and Svetlana Romashina: both are favorites on the international stage, with an impressive record of winning world championships.
- Huang Xuechen and Yukiko Inui: in the women’s event, these swimmers are big favourites due to their technical and artistic mastery.
Artistic swimming is a sport that combines beauty, grace and technical skill, with a rich history that has evolved over the decades.
With its inclusion in Olympic competitions, the sport has gained even more visibility and prestige.
At the 2024 Olympic Games, the world will witness spectacular performances by athletes who dedicate their lives to this sport.
Brazil, with its emerging and established talents, promises to be a strong competitor, contributing to the growth and popularity of artistic swimming on the international stage!
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