Men will be allowed to participate in artistic swimming competitions at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (OG), World Aquatics, the International Swimming Federation, announced on Thursday (December 22nd) after approval by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“Men will now be able to participate in the team event”, explains World Aquatics 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.
Artistic swimming, called “synchronized swimming” until 2017, has been present at the Olympics since 1984, but this will be the first time that men can be part of a team. Men have already been allowed to participate in the Artistic Swimming World Championships since 2015.
“It is a day of celebration for those who campaigned for the inclusion of men in this sport at the Olympics and who pioneered the participation of men”rejoiced World Aquatics.
“The inclusion of men in Olympic artistic swimming was once seen as an impossible dream (…). Now, through perseverance [des nageurs] and in support of so many, all athletes can stand side by side as equals and aim for Olympic glory”also welcomed Bill May, the first men’s world champion (in the inaugural technical event of the mixed duo in 2015) and now coach.