ACOG - Aquatics: Synchronized Swimming - IBM

History of Synchronized Swimming

As athletic as it is entertaining, synchronized swimming has been popular in various forms dating back to the late 19th century.

From the original stunt swimming by men to ornamental swimming by Annette Kellerman to the early synchronized swimming of Kay Curtis' Modern Mermaids, the event thrilled early audiences with its precision and grace.

With some help from Hollywood, the sport received a sharp boost in popularity in the 1940s when Esther Williams used her synchronized talents in 10 films, including "Million Dollar Mermaid," the story of "ornamental" swimming star, Annette Kellerman.

Synchronized swimming appeared as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games from 1952 through 1968, and officially was added to the Olympic Programme in 1984. In 1996, the first Olympic medals will be awarded in team competition.

Synchronized Swimming Milestones

80 A.D. — Earliest mention

1892 — The first synchronized swimming event is held in Great Britain. The show is restricted to men and performed as "stunt swimming."

1900 — Australian Annette Kellerman, the creator of the one-piece bathing suit for women, performs "ornamental swimming" in a glass tank.

1914 — Kellerman stars in "Neptune's Daughter," the first of two movies featuring her swimming and diving skills.

1917 — Kay Curtis of the University of Wisconsin develops modern synchronized swimming by integrating music into the patterns in a "water ballet".

1924 — The first figures competition for women is held in Canada.

1934 — Describing Kay Curtis' Modern Mermaids performance at the Chicago World's Fair, radio announcer Norman Ross first uses the term synchronized swimming.

1939 — Olympic swimming champion Johnny Weismuller teams with Esther Williams in Billy Rose's Aquacade at the San Francisco World's Fair. Williams sends the popularity of synchronized swimming soaring with ten feature films including "Million Dollar Mermaid," the life story of Annette Kellerman.

1946 — The first national championship for synchronized swimming is held in the United States.

1952 — Synchronized swimming appears at the Olympic Games as a demonstration sport and is recognized as an aquatics discipline by FINA.

1955 — The first synchronized swimming international competition is held during the Pan American Games in Mexico City.

1967 — Themes and costumes are dropped as criteria for judging.

1984 — Synchronized swimming is added to the Olympic Programme with the solo and duet competitions.

1996 — For the Centennial Olympic Games, the solo and duet competitions are replaced by the eight-member team event.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publication Department. Written by Howard Thomas.


Olympic Factoid
The Mother Nature was kind to Olympic athletes and spectators. The average high temperature during the Games was 89 degrees with an average low of 72 degrees. Highest temperature registered (20 July) - 99 degrees. Lowest high temperature registered is 79 degrees (28 July).