History of Synchronised Swimming
At the turn of the 20th century, Annette Kellerman, an Australian swimmer, toured the United States performing water acrobatics. Her shows proved very popular and a sport was born.
The sport was developed further by Katherine Curtis, who had the idea of combining water acrobatics with music. Her students performed at the 1933-34 Chicago ‘Century of Progress’ Fair, where the announcer, former Olympic Swimming gold medallist Norman Ross, coined the term 'synchronised swimming'.
The competitive aspect was developed around the same time when Frank Havlicek, a student of Katherine Curtis, drew up a set of rules.
Synchronised Swimming at the Games
Synchronised Swimming has featured at the Games since London 1948.
The sport did not achieve medal status until Los Angeles 1984.
Venue: Aquatics Centre
Dates: Saturday 28 July – Saturday 4 August; 10km Marathon: Thursday 9 and Friday 10 August
Gold medals up for grabs: 34
Athletes: 850