Olympic Synchronised Swimming

104 women compete in teams for the gold medals on offer

In total, the Olympics will host four different types of aquatic events; diving, swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo. Despite the long history of swimming as a sport, it has only been recognised as a competitive sport in the last two hundred years.

The governing body for the swimming events in the Olympic Games will be the Federation Internationale de Natation.

Currently, synchronised swimming is only undertaken by women and is referred to as water ballet. Routines are performed in the pool in front of a range of judges. These are undertaken in groups of eight or in pairs. Water polo is also relatively new and involves getting the ball into the back of the net at the other end of the swimming pool to that of the team.