Synchronized swimming

Synchronized swimming

Czech synchronized swimming team performing a free routine combination in 2013
Highest governing body	World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA)
Characteristics
Contact	No
Type	Female Aquatic sport Women's duet Team events
Venue	Swimming pool
Presence
Olympic	Yes

Synchronized swimming (in British English, synchronised swimming) or artistic swimming is a sport where swimmers perform a synchronized choreographed routine, accompanied by music. The sport is governed internationally by World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA).^[1] It has traditionally been a women's sport, although FINA introduced a new mixed gender duet competition that included one male swimmer in each duet at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships and LEN introduced men's individual events at the 2022 European Aquatics Championships. From 2024, men will be able to compete in the team event at the Olympics.^[2]

Synchronised swimming has been part of the Summer Olympics program since 1984 and now features women's duet and team events. On instruction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FINA renamed the sport from "synchronized swimming" to "artistic swimming" in 2017—a decision that has faced controversy. The new official name has yet to gain general acceptance outside the core of the sport.^[3]