Admitted since 2015 to the world championships, men will make their Olympic entry into the discipline, formerly known as synchronized swimming.
MO12345LEMONDE with AFP
Men will be authorized to participate in artistic swimming competitions at the Olympic Games (OJ) in Paris 2024, announced on Thursday December 22 World Aquatics, the International Swimming Federation, after the approval of the International Olympic Committee (CIO).
“Men can now participate in the team event,” said World Aquatics in a press release. Each team of eight members can count “up to a maximum of two men”, details the body. Ten teams will be in the running at the Paris Olympics.
Artistic swimming, called “synchronized swimming” until 2017, has been present at the Olympic Games since 1984, but it will be the first time that men can be part of a team. Men have already been allowed to participate in the world artistic swimming championships since 2015.
“It’s a celebration day for those who campaigned for the inclusion of men in this sport at the Olympic Games and who were the pioneers of men’s participation,” said World Aquatics.
“The inclusion of men in Olympic artistic swimming was formerly considered an impossible dream (…). Now, thanks to perseverance [swimmers] and the support of so many people, all athletes can stand side By side equally and aiming for Olympic glory, “also welcomed Bill May, the first male world champion (in the inaugural technical test of the mixed duo in 2015) and now coach.