men allowed to participate in the artistic swimming event – ​​Liberation

The arabesques under water finally degenerated. Men are making their Olympic debut in artistic swimming, the International Swimming Federation announced on Thursday. The approval of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) creates a turning point in the practice of this sport at the Olympic level. Because men have been admitted since 2015 to the world championships in this discipline mixing gymnastics, dance and swimming, called synchronized swimming until 2017. The Olympic Games are getting on the bandwagon.

“Men will now be able to participate in the team event”, explains World Aquatics, the International Swimming Federation, in a press release. Each team of eight members will be able to count “up to a maximum of two men”, details the instance. Ten teams will be competing at the Paris Olympics. A competition on the program of the Olympic Games since 1984, in Los Angeles.

“The inclusion of men in swimming Olympic art was once considered an impossible dream (…) Now, thanks to the perseverance (of the swimmers) and the support of so many people, all athletes can stand side by side equally, and aim for Olympic glory »also welcomed Bill May, the first men’s world champion, in the inaugural mixed duet technical event at the 2015 World Championships, and now coach.

At the last Winter Olympics in Beijing, snowboard cross, ski jumping, short track speed skating and freestyle skiing joined biathlon, curling, luge, figure skating and alpine skiing in rank of disciplines bringing together men and women in the same race for medals. Otherwise, equestrianism is the only Olympic individual sport allowing men and women to compete together.