Interestingly synchronize swimming began as a sport for men in the 1800s, but is now considered a primarily female sport.\u00a0 Synchronized swimming competitions were held starting as early as the 1930s in Europe and the United States, but this sport did not become an Olympic event until 1984.\u00a0 It is now one of only two disciplines on today\u2019s Olympics in which there are only female competitors (the other sport in which there are only females is rhythmic gymnastics).\u00a0 Synchronized swimming is a water sport in which teams of eight swimmers perform short routines to a musical (there are underwater speakers for the competitors so that they can hear the music while swimming).\u00a0 Judges look for a variety of components** during the swimming routines, including: choreography*** and difficulty of moves.\u00a0 Although this sport looks graceful and calm to the pool side spectator****, synchronized swimming is a very demanding and difficult sport.\u00a0 To perform well competitors need to exhibit strength, endurance, flexibility, and good timing, not to mention breath control.\u00a0 Synchronized swimmers use nose clips to keep water from going in their noses as they move underwater, but they are also working very hard on controlling their breathing so they can stay underwater for long periods of time.<\/p>\n
Here are some terms that are used commonly in this sport (but are otherwise not common terms in English): *aquatic = of or relating to water In my\u00a0 opinion synchronized swimming is a very elegant sport. I enjoy watching it every four years during the summer Olympics.\u00a0 Unfortunately this isn’t a popular enough sport in the United States for synchronized swimming to be on TV very much other than during the Olympics.\u00a0 To stick with our theme of the Olympics…<\/p>\n
\nback layout<\/strong> \u2013 a position in which the swimmer holds herself flat and face up on the water\u2019s surface while moving her hands quickly to stay afloat (like in the picture above)
\ndeckwork<\/strong> \u2013 the initial movements of choreography that are performed by swimmers after the music starts but before they enter the water
\neggbeater<\/strong> \u2013 a powerful way of treading water that allows the swimmer to perform arm movements while staying afloat<\/p>\n
\n**components = a part or element of a larger whole
\n***choreography = the sequence of movements in dance
\n****spectator = a person who watches a show, game, or other event<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2012\/07\/swimming.jpg\")