FINA Renames Synchronized Swimming

FINA, the world governing body for 6 aquatic disciplines including synchronized swimming, has renamed that sport to ‘artistic swimming.’

As part of its general congress today, with 176 federations represented, FINA voted to change the name of the sport. There has long been confusion about what “synchronized” meant, with the general public believing it meant “synchronized with one another” (as is the case in synchronized diving). Instead, it was always implied to mean “synchronized with the music.” The name change should provide less confusion at least in that area.

 

 

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Carol Savage
5 years ago

As a former synchronized swimmer at the time when the sport became an olympic sport, I feel this does the sport a disservice. It was tough enough to convince non-synchro folks that yes, it is a sport and a difficult one and it deserves to be an olympic sport. this sounds like a dance and not a sport. It will be even more difficult to explain to others that it has value. I am so disappointed.

Synchro 4 Lyfe
6 years ago

Well… I mean this is not helping shake off our image of sparkles and fancy suits… WHY

Shayla Mosley
6 years ago

This makes me realy mad!! artistic swimming sounds easy but SYNCRO is a beutifful wonderfull conditioning hard sport! why change it at all! rant over

Aquatics
6 years ago

Was this really necessary?…

G.I.N.A
6 years ago

What is the problem? Ppl here just want to complain about Fina .
There are several disciplines of gymnastics – artistic , acro & aerobic & trampoline & rhythmic .
I’m pretty sure the sport asked for the change .

Steve MacDonald
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

I bet they didn’t!

Lisa
Reply to  G.I.N.A
6 years ago

No. The sport DID NOT ask for the change.

Obstacle Number 2
6 years ago

I know nothing about Synchronized Swimming. I admire it. It’s beautiful and obviously requires strength, timing, balance etc. What a bonehead move. I will never call it Artistic Swimming. Never. LOL

Swimmer
6 years ago

Fina being extraordinarily annoying with all these useless and stupid changes.

Steve MacDonald
6 years ago

Are they mad! Doesn’t sound like a sport anymore. Stupid people.

Aramis
Reply to  Steve MacDonald
6 years ago

Why do You speak in this way ? The change is correct, friend. Now, many peoples understand what is the meanning of this acuatic sport, you know.

Synchro swimmer
Reply to  Steve MacDonald
6 years ago

I agree now it sounds like a joke! Synchro is one of the most difficult sports why would they do this

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Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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