(30 July 1996; Day 11)
The format of synchronized swimming has changed for the 1996 Olympic Games, from solo and duet routines to a single team competition. Each team is comprised of eight swimmers, performing a variety of elements both under and above the water.
The team competition consists of two routines, technical and free. The technical routine lasts approximately 3 minutes, accounting for 35 percent, while the free routine is 5 minutes, accounting for 65 percent of the total score. The three teams with the highest combined total will be awarded the three medals.
The synchronized swimming team competition got underway on Tuesday, 30 July with the technical routine and will finish on 2 August with the free routine.
Eight teams qualified for the Centennial Olympic Games at the NationsBank Synchronized Swimming World Cup held last August in Atlanta. The teams included the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, China, France, Italy and Mexico.
The United States was the top team to qualify at the World Cup event, receiving a perfect 100 points for the free routine, which was the first time a perfect team score had ever been recorded. They have been ranked number one in the world since 1991 and are the favorite for the gold medal at these Olympic Games. After receiving three 10s in the technical routine, the United States is in the top position with 99.200 points entering Friday's free routine.
A team that has received more silver than gold in major international competitions, Canada is in second place after the technical routine. They trail the United States by 1.277 points. Those two teams have won every available gold and silver medal in the Olympic Games since synchronized swimming made its debut in 1984 Olympic Games.
Japan has swept all bronze medals since the 1984 Games. The team is currently in third place with 97.667 points.
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Susan Fumagalli.
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| An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games. |