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Men will be allowed to participate in artistic swimming competitions at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the International Swimming Federation announced on Thursday, 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, known as synchronized swimming until 2017, has been part of the Olympics since 1984, but it will be the first time that men can compete on a team at the Olympics.
Men have already been allowed to participate in the World Swimming Championships since 2015.
“It is a day of celebration for those who campaigned for the inclusion of men in the sport at the Olympics and who pioneered the participation of men”rejoiced World Aquatics.
“The inclusion of men in Olympic artistic swimming was once considered an impossible dream (…) Now, thanks to the perseverance (of the swimmers) and the support of so many people, all athletes can stand side by side equally, and aim for Olympic glory”also welcomed Bill May, the first men’s world champion, in the inaugural mixed duet technical event at the 2015 World Championships, and now coach.