For the first time ever in Olympic history, men are allowed to take part in the artistic swimming Olympics for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The new rules say that “up to two men per country may compete in the team competition, which features teams of eight athletes.”
A Significant Rule Change for Artistic Swimming Olympics
This rule change to the synchronized swimming competition was first covered by the Associated Press back in July 2023 at the World Aquatics Championships. This change is a huge moment in the history of sports.
On the occasion of the rule change, American synchronized swimmer Bill May said at the World Aquatics Championships in 2023, “I think it’s a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and attract more men.” He added, “By keeping men out you’re limiting the sport. By including men you’re going to see an upshift in the popularity and the numbers.”
History of Artistic Swimming Olympics
Formerly known as synchronized swimming, Artistic swimming was launched at the Los Angeles Olympics back in 1984 – but exclusively featuring women. Men have competed in the lower levels of artistic swimming competitions but have been previously excluded from the Olympic team.
A little bit of background on Artistic Swimming
Mainly, artistic swimming is when athletes move gracefully through the waters while performing choreographed routines to music. It may be teams or duos that create the most insane formations, spin underwater, and even hold poses while keeping their moves in sync. This sport is not as easy as it sounds. It requires a lot of strength, flexibility, and breath control. And it is not just the athletes are in sync or not, it has to be on rhythm as well.
Artistic swimming has been a part of the Olympics for a long time and has evolved over decades. The actual competition is divided into two events – duet and team routines. They are judged on difficulty level, artistry level, and execution level. Moreover, it is an Olympic event, which shows that it is not just the athlete’s physical abilities that are tested but also their creativity, teamwork, and flair for the dramatic—all while making it look effortless!
Also Read: Breaking Olympics at the 2024 Paris Games: What You Need to Know
Breaking Stereotypes
Bill May also said, “There has always been that misconception that it’s a female-only sport, or that it’s for wimps, or that it’s not a difficult sport.” Further, he said, “Anyone that has anything negative to say about the sport — boy, female, anyone. Just try it, and you’ll know it’s the most difficult sport in the world.”
Despite the new rule change to Artistic Swimming Olympics 2024, no men were selected for any of the artistic swim teams. Meaning? They will not compete at the 2024 Paris Games.
The World Aquatics governing body said, “World Aquatics is very disappointed that no male artistic swimmers have been selected for Paris 2024.” “This should have been a landmark moment for the sport. All of us in the artistic swimming community need to work even harder to progress opportunities for male athletes in the sport.”
Gender Parity in the Olympics
Even though the artistic swimming teams do not include men at the moment, the IOC or International Olympic Committee confirmed back in March 2023 that the 2024 Paris Olympics will be the first to “achieve numerical gender parity.” The IOC said, “Out of the 10,500 athletes participating in the Games, 5,250 will be men and 5,250 women.”
Grab your artistic swimming Olympics 2024 tickets now and be part of this groundbreaking event.
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