Team USA Artistic Swimming Does the Moonwalk
It might be one of the more unconventional Olympic sports, but artistic swimming (formerly synchronized swimming) is making headlines, specifically with Team USA’s recent performance. The ladies perform water aerobics set to music, but their talent and ability to do the performances is undeniable.
Team member, Anita Alvarez, explained that this performance was an important one. “There are three free parts to choreograph. That is our Michael Jackson themed routine, and it’s day one, which is super important for us to get a strong start and start the competition off at a good place,” Alvarez said. Their opening performance, which is the team technical routine, took place on August 5.
It is the first time since the 2008 Beijing Olympics that the United States has representation in the team event, but it seems they are making a comeback in 2024. The team’s performance included moonwalking upside down, with a backing track of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”
See the video here:
Despite the wow-factor of the performance, Team USA scored a 249.0067, leaving them in seventh place after the opening round.
What is artistic swimming?
Formerly known as synchronized swimming, this Olympic sport showcases the talent of swimmers as they perform a choreographed routine in the water, which is also accompanied by music.
Synchronized swimming was first an event at the Olympic Games in 1984 at the Los Angeles games and was a female only sport. However, in 2022, the rule was changed, allowing up to two male athletes to compete per team. The Paris 2024 Olympics will be the first time that men are allowed to compete in the sport. Although, no men have been named as members of any of the Olympic artistic swimming teams.
The name was changed after the 2016 Rio Olympics as a way to better brand the sport, in hopes the new name would not only illustrate what it is about, but also draw in a greater audience. According to NBCOlympics.com, artistic swimming is “a unique sport on the Olympic program that combines water acrobatics with music.”
In the early years of the sport, Team USA and Canada were very successful at the Olympics, being the teams to beat. But in more recent years, Russia has become the more dominant team, winning every gold medal in both events since the 2000 games.
This year, however, it seems that China is the team to beat, as they are currently sitting in the top spot, on the road to their first gold medal.
Everything to know about Team USA’s artistic swimmers
Quinn Rooney / Staff / Getty
The Olympic artistic swimming team is made up of eight members — Anita Alvarez Daniella Ramirez, Keana Hunter, Audrey Kwon, Jaime Czarkowski, Ruby Remati, Jacklyn Luu and Megumi Field. Alvarez is a returning Olympian having competed in the 2016 and 2020 games as a part of the duet competition.
Alvarez has had a rough road leading up to the 2024 games. The artistic swimmer nearly lost her life after almost drowning at a 2022 competition in Budapest. But Alvarez traveled the long road of recovery and is leading Team USA to victory in her 3rd Olympics.
“A week ago this little girl found out she earned a spot on her third U.S. Olympic team ?????? Grateful and honored for this opportunity ??,” Alvarez wrote in an Instagram post.
What’s next for Team USA’s artistic swimmers
There are five total events for the artistic swimmers, with the second one, team free routine, being completed on August 6 at 10:30 AM. Future events will take place on August 7th, 9th and 10th.
Keep reading for more entertainment!
8 Early 2000s Reality TV Shows: Where to Watch Them
See Noah Lyles Take Gold With Closest Finish in 100m History: Five-Thousandths of a Second
How To Get a Free A&W Root Beer Float for National Root Beer Float Day
