Synchronized swimming

**Mathman** · 08-25-2004, 08:26 AM

Wow, did you guys see the Russian sync pair last night? So far, this is my favorite sport of these Olympics, along with trampoline and kayaking.

Mathman

**hockeyfan228** · 08-25-2004, 03:46 PM

Just when you thought you'd never have to hear the music from Don Quixote ever again

**jesslily** · 08-25-2004, 06:02 PM

Before, I thought the only thing I like to watch is the gymnastics. After watching the syncronized swiming, I found another sport I truely enjoy in the Summer Game. Skating is dance on the ice, and syncronized swiming is dance in the water.

**Mathman** · 08-25-2004, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by hockeyfan228

Just when you thought you'd never have to hear the music from Don Quixote ever again

Still, I thought the Russians were the only team that actually made use of their music. Also the Japanese (second place), who I thought had a very well integrated program to a "Japanese Doll" theme in the preliminaries.

BTW, I noted that the Russian team got a 10.0 -- from the Russian judge.

Their lowest mark was a 9.8 -- from the Japanese judge!

Mathman

**hockeyfan228** · 08-25-2004, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mathman

Still, I thought the Russians were the only team that actually made use of their music.

ITA! They were super!

**Rgirl** · 08-26-2004, 10:45 AM

The USA synchro swimmers have the best commercial too, the one for AFFLAK with the duck. Inspired.

Seriously, the Russians were amazing.
Rgirl

**hockeyfan228** · 08-26-2004, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by Rgirl

The USA synchro swimmers have the best commercial too, the one for AFFLAK with the duck. Inspired.

The Canadians have one, too, on CBC. It starts with a male diver, who finds himself in the pool with synchronized swimmers when he emerges after his dive. He then joins in the routine, and is pretty good.

**purplecat** · 08-26-2004, 08:23 PM

I'm so mad I missed today's Team Technical program. NBC shipped it off to Bravo and I missed it (it was supposed to be on afternoon NBC coverage originally)! :(

**Rgirl** · 08-27-2004, 06:41 AM

Bummer, Purplecat. I don't know how good this link is, but I'll be giving it a try for more synchro swimming as well as rhythmic gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnasts make artistic gymnasts look stiff, I swear.
http://sfgate/cgi-bin/article.cgi?fi...213EDT0316.DTL

Here's a partial listing from that link for "equestrian," which is most likely jumping, but may also include dressage.
WHEN TO WATCH FRIDAY (TIMES PDT, SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
NBC (12:30pm to 4pm) equestrian [anytime between 12:30pm & 4pm PDT]
Bravo (5pm to 8 pm; midnight to 1am) rhythmic gymastics.

The complete list is at the link cited above. Watch Rhythmic Gymnastics and you'll never call Sasha Cohen "the bendy girl" again

.
Rgirl

**Piel** · 08-27-2004, 12:06 PM

RGirl I posted in another thread earlier today that I think Sasha would be a great rhythmic gymnist. I love the longer lines and your right the flexibility is amazing

. I would love to be ablo to put all of my joints through complete ROM like that just to get all of the crooks out, LOL.

**hockeyfan228** · 08-27-2004, 07:51 PM

Big article today in the Washington Post on synchronized swimming:

Free registration is required:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Aug26.html

My favorite quote is,

"You learn to slow your heart rate down so you can hold your breath," says [Lauren]McFall."

Would that be slowing your heart rate down as you are kicking your legs over your head while turning and moving your arms rapidly?

**Johar** · 08-28-2004, 12:19 AM

What a tough sport. I still don't know how they do those skills. And without touching the bottom of the pool!

**mpal2** · 08-28-2004, 12:22 AM

They mentioned that US women got the synchro gold in Atlanta but didn't even medal in Sydney. Did the team just lose strong members or did home crowd advantage factor in? Have other countries stepped up the pressure?

**purplecat** · 08-28-2004, 01:30 AM

mpal2...I believe after the U.S. team won in 96 all the members retired. I think a couple of those members made a late comeback for 00 though. The U.S. dominated Synchronized Swimming through that year 1996. And that team in 1996 was almost like a "Dream Team". Many of the top U.S. synchro swimmers stayed in the sport because that was the first year the team event was contested. They were so great that year!

But other countries, especially Russia (Canada and Japan were always good) caught up and the U.S. had rebuilding years. Canada has had to rebuild as well. But Russia is definitely the powerhouse country now!