Courtesy: World Aquatics
Lausanne 22 December 2022 – The International Olympic Committee has given its approval for World Aquatics to allow men to participate in the artistic swimming competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (artistic swimming was formerly known as synchronised swimming, until 2017)
Men will now be eligible to compete in the team event. There are eight competitors in each team. The new rules will permit a maximum of two men to compete in each team at the Olympic Games. Ten teams are expected to compete.
Artistic swimming has been in the Olympic Games since 1984, and this will be the first time that men have been eligible to be included in a team at the Games. Men have been allowed to compete in the sport at the FINA World Aquatics Championships since 2015
This is a day of celebration for those who have campaigned for the inclusion of men in the sport at the Olympic Games and who have pioneered men’s participation.
Bill May (USA) has been one of the leading voices in lobbying for this change. The first ever male World Champion, in the inaugural mixed duet technical event at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in 2015, he is now a coach.
“The inclusion of men in Olympic Artistic Swimming was once considered the impossible dream. This proves that we should all dream big. The male athletes have endured. Now, through their perseverance and the help and support of so many, all athletes may stand alongside each other equally, reaching for Olympic glory.”
Giorgio Minisini (Italy) is one of the leading men currently competing in the sport. He was World Champion at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in the mixed duet technical routine in 2017 and 2022.
“This announcement marks a milestone in Artistic Swimming history. Our sport’s evolution towards inclusivity is going on fast forward, and this decision from IOC and World Aquatics will help us become an example for the whole Olympic movement. As one of the most popular sports in the Games, we are ready to share the Olympic motto around the world louder than ever: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.”
“Aquatics sports are universal and men have proven themselves to be excellent artistic swimmers. I look forward to seeing this new dimension of artistic swimming being shared with the world in Paris. The inclusion of men in artistic swimming is a great credit to all those who have worked for many years to make this happen,” said World Aquatics President Captain Husain Al-Musallam.