Artistic Swimming Olympics Schedule: Artistic swimming, previously known as synchronized swimming, is poised to create history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by introducing male athletes. The inaugural event of this distinctive Olympic sport, blending water acrobatics with music, is scheduled at the Olympics Aquatics Center on Monday at 1:30 p.m. ET. The team competition comprises three routines: a technical routine, a free routine, and an acrobatic routine. The duet competition features a technical routine and a free routine, marking the first inclusion of an acrobatic routine.
Artistic Swimming Olympics Schedule 2024
The United States is slated to perform seventh among 10 nations in the technical routine, accompanied by Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” as reported by NBC Olympics. A panel of judges evaluates athletes on execution, synchronization, difficulty level, musical utilization, and choreography. Athletes participating in artistic swimming are required to demonstrate flexibility and meticulous attention to detail and coordination for successful routine execution.
Athletes may appear to perform their routine effortlessly, but the training for artistic swimming is demanding, as stated by two-time American Olympian Anita Alvarez, who almost drowned in 2022. She highlighted the intensive nature of the training, involving hours of daily practice treading water, synchronization with music, pattern observation, breath-holding, and the absence of goggles during competitions.
Competition schedule
Day | Date | Start | Finish | Event | Phase |
Day 10 | Monday 5 August 2024 | 19:30 | 21:00 | Team | Technical routine |
Day 11 | Tuesday 6 August 2024 | 19:30 | 21:00 | Team | Free routine |
Day 12 | Wednesday 7 August 2024 | 19:30 | 21:15 | Team | Acrobatic routine |
Day 14 | Friday 9 August 2024 | 19:30 | 21:30 | Duet | Technical routine |
Day 15 | Saturday 10 August 2024 | 19:30 | 22:00 | Duet | Free routine |
How to watch artistic swimming
The initial contest can be viewed live on Peacock or streamed on nbcolympics.com at 1:30 p.m. ET, or on E! at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Venue, Dates & Competitors
Venue | Paris Aquatic Centre |
Dates | 5–10 August 2024 |
No. of events | 2 (1 women, 1 mixed) |
Competitors | 96 from 18 nations |
Artistic swimming Olympics schedule
Artistic Swimming at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Date | Event | Time (ET) |
August 5 | Team technical routine | 1:30p-3:00p |
August 6 | Team free routine | 1:30p-3:00p |
August 7 | Team acrobatic routine | 1:30p-3:15p |
August 9 | Duet technical routine | 1:30p-3:30p |
August 10 | Duet free routine | 1:30p-4:00p |
Since artistic swimming was introduced as an Olympic sport in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, only female athletes have been allowed to compete. However, in 2022, the sport’s governing body revised the rules to permit a maximum of two male athletes per country to participate in the team event. Paris 2024 was anticipated to showcase the inaugural male artistic swimmers at the Olympics, but none were selected for any of the ten teams.
North American nations, particularly the U.S. and Canada, achieved early success in artistic swimming at the Olympics. Subsequently, Russia (including ROC) emerged as the leading country, clinching every gold medal in both disciplines since the 2000 Sydney Games. Nonetheless, due to an IOC ruling linked to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia will not be able to field a team or duet in Paris, ending their winning streak. For the first time since Beijing 2008, the United States will compete in both the duet and team categories at the Paris Olympics.
Qualification
In the team event, the top-ranked NOC from each of the five continental meets, excluding host nation France for Europe, will earn a quota place. Other NOCs will vie for the remaining spots at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships. In the duet competition, the highest-ranked NOC from each of the five continental meets without a qualified team will secure a spot, while the rest will compete for the three available spots at the 2024 Worlds. All ten eligible NOCs for the team event must choose two members to compete in the duet.
Artistic swimming at 2024 Paris Olympics: How it works, Team USA stars, what else to know
When did artistic swimming become an Olympic sport?
Artistic swimming first appeared in the Olympics in 1984 at the Los Angeles Summer Games, with only female competitors historically allowed. However, men will be able to compete for the first time at the 2024 Paris Games. Nonetheless, as per NBC Sports, no men have been included in the team rosters.
How does Olympic artistic swimming work?
Artistic swimming, also known as synchronized swimming and regulated by World Aquatics, involves water acrobatics synchronized to music. Athletes execute choreographed routines, including dynamic movements out of the water. The Olympic competition comprises duet and team events, each with a free routine and a technical routine. Athletes are evaluated on execution, synchronization, difficulty, music, and choreography, blending elements of gymnastics and swimming. In the 2024 Olympics, team competitions may include up to two male participants.
Who are the top Team USA athletes in artistic swimming?
- Anita Alvarez, 27, Santa Monica, California: 2016 and 2020 Olympics, placing ninth and 13th, respectively, in duet competitions; could become first three-time American Olympian for artistic swimming.
- Megumi Field, 18, Wilmington, Delaware: 2023 world championship technical team bronze; 2024 world championship free team bronze medal; committed to swim at Stanford after the Paris Games.
What’s the international landscape in Olympic artistic swimming?
Artistic swimming was introduced to the Olympic lineup in 1984, with Team USA and Canada initially leading. However, in recent times, Russia has emerged as the dominant force, winning both events in the last six Games. Leading up to the Paris Olympics, China holds the top spot in various categories, while Spain, Great Britain, and the Netherlands also boast high rankings in the sport.
