Chinese Olympians: Twin water ballet princesses Jiang Tingting and Wenwen

Synchronized swimming as an Olympic sport

Synchronized swimming was an exhibition sport at the Olympic Games from 1948 to 1968. Competition in the sport started at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. Synchronized swimming competitions only feature female competitors and are comprised of duet and team events. Both events include a technical routine and a free routine, which are performed to music within a given time limit. Performances are evaluated according to artistic and technical criteria and judges give scores out of a possible ten points.
Synchronized swimming was originally known as water ballet due to its similarities with the artistic and sophisticated movements characteristic of classical ballet. In water ballet, makeup is used to create a dramatic effect, much like in its dry-land version. The sport originated in Canada in the 1920s.