Synchronised swimming is one of the few disciplines to be contested only by women (rhythmic gymnastics and softball are the others).
Synchronised swimming is a relatively new discipline, with its origins dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. Water show activities were popularised in the United States by Annette Kellerman (1886-1975), an Australian swimmer who toured the United States, performing her water acrobatics in a glass tank. The sport was then developed in the United States by Katherine Curtis, who experimented around 1915 with water figures, and had the figures performed to musical accompaniment. Her students performed at the 1933-34 Chicago "Century of Progress" Fair, where the announcer, former Olympic swimming gold medallist Norman Ross, coined the term "synchronised swimming".
Synchronised swimming was later popularised by American film star Esther Williams, who performed water ballet in several American movies. The competitive aspect was developed about the same time when Frank Havlicek, a student of Curtis, drew up a set of rules.
(BOCOG)