Unfinished Synchrony: the contortions of synchronized swimming

Not many know how to dance the tango. Fewer still can contort their bodies to twist and spin like a gymnast. Now imagine doing all of that upside down and underwater, without any help of walls or ground to aid in propulsion. That would be almost as difficult as synchronized swimming.

“Top athletes are judged on making it look effortless,” notes Sandra Mahoney, national team director of US Synchronized Swimming. As a result, “people think synchro is easy and it doesn’t require intensive training.”

In fact, there are multiple levels involved in accomplishing the illusion of ease. First and foremost is breath control. “Top athletes can hold their breath up to and sometimes over a minute,” Mahoney explains, though on average swimmers will do so for 30-45 seconds in numerous repetitions during a 3-4 minute routine.

Next is movement control, achieved mainly through the act of “sculling.” Imagine a hummingbird hovering in place by buzzing just its wings at a speed almost invisible to the eye. Synchronized swimmers employ their hands and arms in similar fashion to keep the body suspended in place – even while upside down, spinning around and reversing in direction.

Lastly, these movements must be done in graceful synchronicity with one’s teammates. If one person fails to rotate as fast or doesn’t strike perfect perpendicularity with her counterparts, the falling out of synchrony becomes painfully apparent.

Presentation is everything, from the smiles on swimmers’ faces in the brief moments their heads come out of the water (despite also needing to use these precious upright seconds to gasp for air) to the elaborate attire and headpieces that complete the visual display. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill swim caps and navy blue maillots – they are elaborate outfits designed specifically to match the music and the movement, accompanied by generous applications of makeup and a decorative hair cap.

Indeed, costume was so important to the Spanish team at the Beijing Olympics that they petitioned for their suits to feature battery-powered lights. The request was denied, but the team still went home with the silver medal, thanks to a vibrant routine performed to African drumming, for which they wore bright red suits with giant tribal heads stitched across the middle, topped off by a multicolored, cornrow-braided hair cap.

Traditionally, Russia, the United States and Japan have dominated the sport, but as of late the latter two have been ousted by Spain and China. Coincidentally, after the “godmother” of Japanese synchronized swimming, Masayo Imura, left her position as coach of Japan’s national team to join China in 2006, the Chinese have become a force to be reckoned with.

China’s rise in the ranks – and Japan’s subsequent fall – began when they demoted the Japanese to second place at the 2006 Doha Asian Games, where China won their first-ever gold medals in the event. This was followed by a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, and most recently with four bronze medals and one silver medal at this year’s FINA Swimming World Championships in Rome, though the silver in the free combination (coming in second to Spain) was largely attributed to the fact that Russia did not compete in the event.

Russia continues to be universally regarded as rulers of the sport. “We are not saying we are the best – it is just a matter of fact,” Russian team member Anastasia Davydova told reporters after their six wins in Rome, during which many a judge awarded them perfect 10s.

“Russia is faster than us in their movements,” China coach Wang Jia remarked. “They also have better artistic impressions. We need to work on becoming faster and stronger.” Furthermore, team leader Zhang Xiaohuan has observed, “Our dances are probably really beautiful, but other teams have higher difficulty levels.”

That different countries are beginning to climb the ladder, however, demonstrates the sport’s growing popularity around the world. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Davydova even told reporters after the FINA synchro events in Rome that prior to the competition, she had “feared China and Spain.” And with another three years to go until the Olympic Games in London, that leaves plenty of time for either team to give Russia a run for its money.