A new name for an art in the water
For decades, synchronized swimming was a discipline admired for its beauty, precision, and spectacularity. However, in 2017, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) —now known as World Aquatics— officially decided to rename it as artistic swimming. This change, seemingly semantic, has generated a broad debate among athletes, coaches, judges, and fans.
But why did this name change occur? What impact has it had on the development of the sport at professional and recreational levels? How has it affected public perception and the way it is trained and competed? In this article, we explore in depth the name change from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming, analyzing its historical context, its sporting and social implications, and its international projection looking to the future.
The history of synchronized swimming: from spectacle to Olympic sport
The origins of synchronized swimming
Synchronized swimming, as it was originally known, has its roots in the 19th century. It emerged as a form of aquatic entertainment: a fusion of swimming, dance, and gymnastics, especially popularized in North America. In its beginnings, it was considered more of a visual spectacle in pools than a regulated competitive sport.
During the early decades of the 20th century, figures like Annette Kellerman, a pioneer in the development of aquatic choreography, contributed to the spread of this discipline. Thanks to them, the activity gained legitimacy as an athletic expression with defined technical and artistic elements.
Recognition as a sports discipline
In the 1950s, synchronized swimming was officially recognized by FINA as a regulated sports discipline. In 1984, it debuted at the Los Angeles Olympic Games, initially with individual and duet events. Later, team routines were incorporated, thus consolidating its status within the Olympic program.
Since then, the discipline has evolved notably in both technical complexity and physical demand. Modern routines require muscular strength, flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, and absolute synchronization with the music and among teammates. These characteristics have made it one of the most demanding practices in competitive aquatic sports.
Why was the name changed from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming?
FINA's announcement in 2017
In July 2017, during the FINA World Swimming Championships in Budapest, FINA announced that synchronized swimming would officially change its name to artistic swimming. This decision was driven by the Technical Committee of the discipline to better align the perception of the sport with its essence: a fusion of art, music, body expression, and athletic skills.
According to the organization, the new term “artística” more faithfully represents the creative and expressive component that characterizes the sport. Additionally, this change aimed to increase its media visibility, attract new audiences, and establish links with other artistic disciplines, such as rhythmic gymnastics or figure skating.
Parallel changes in the regulations
Alongside the new name, modifications were implemented in the scoring criteria and technical regulations. A greater emphasis was placed on artistic interpretation and choreographic creativity in the evaluation of routines, without diminishing the importance of synchronization or technical execution.
Judges now value aspects such as the visual narrative, emotional expression, originality, and musicality, which has increased the need to train athletes comprehensively, including expressive abilities and stage skills.
The implications of the change for athletes and coaches
Adaptation to new artistic demands
With the transformation to artistic swimming, coaches and athletes have had to redesign their training methods. It is no longer enough to perform movements in sync; now it is essential to communicate emotions, tell stories, and connect with the audience.
This has led to greater collaboration with professional choreographers, musicians, theater and modern dance coaches, expanding the spectrum of athlete preparation. Many clubs have incorporated specific sessions of stage expression and body creativity, fundamental to facing international competition.
Impact on technical and psychological training
Although technique remains fundamental — including turns, required figures, and complex patterns — the current focus demands a more holistic training. Athletes must master both the physical aspects and the emotional and expressive to achieve complete competitive performance.
This change has generated divided opinions. Some see it as an opportunity to enrich the sport, while others fear that the artistic emphasis may dilute the physical rigor that characterized the former synchronized swimming. However, the international trend points to a hybrid discipline, where art and athletics enhance each other.
The impact of the name change on public and media perception
How has the change been received by the general public?
Since synchronized swimming was renamed artistic swimming, the reception has been mixed. While some sectors value the change as a necessary modernization, others express confusion or resistance, especially among those who still associate the discipline with its former name.
In many sports broadcasts, news portals, and social networks, the new term has been progressively adopted, although it is often accompanied by clarifying phrases such as “formerly known as synchronized swimming.” This phenomenon has created a linguistic transition that not only has sparked curiosity, but has also stimulated interest in better understanding the artistic essence of the sport.
Greater visibility on digital platforms
One of the most notable effects of the change has been the increase in the digital visibility of the sport. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have become showcases where spectacular routines, underwater exercises, and creative choreographies accumulate millions of views.
This phenomenon has facilitated connection with young and creative audiences, who value visual, musical, and emotional elements. The term “artistic” has served as a semantic bridge to present the sport as a form of performing art, expanding its reach beyond the realm
strictly sporting.
The evolution of artistic swimming in international competitions
New categories and openness to diversity
One of the most significant changes in this new stage has been the inclusion of men in a traditionally female discipline. Mixed routines, and more recently individual male events, have begun to pave the way toward greater inclusion.
In 2022, World Aquatics announced the inclusion of male competitions in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, marking a historic milestone in the evolution of artistic swimming. This opening has generated new forms of expression, choreographic styles, and competitive opportunities, enriching the international sports landscape.
Changes in scoring systems
Along with the opening of new categories, technical adjustments in evaluation systems have been implemented. Judges now score based on a combination of technical difficulty, synchronization, execution, artistic interpretation, and musicality. This more balanced approach has raised the choreographic sophistication of routines.
Swimmers and their teams must integrate acrobatics, required figures, creative transitions, and visual narrative into a single coherent artistic proposal. This requires a level of preparation and highly professionalized routine design, which increasingly resembles other high-performance performing disciplines.
Professionalization of the technical environment
As a direct consequence of this evolution, a process of professionalization in technical staff has taken place. Coaches now require knowledge beyond biomechanics and swimming: they must handle notions of dance, music, dramaturgy, and stage design.
In many countries, national federations have invested in the interdisciplinary training of their teams, incorporating profiles such as theatrical choreographers, ballet coaches, and psychologists specialized in stage performance. This trend consolidates artistic swimming as a hybrid discipline, where sport transforms into a high-impact cultural expression.
The future of artistic swimming: towards a hybrid discipline
A sport, an art, or both?
One of the deepest questions that has arisen from the name change is: is artistic swimming a sport or an art form? For many specialists, coaches, and athletes, the answer is clear: it is both. This duality makes it one of the most complete disciplines in contemporary sport.
The combination of physical demand and emotional expression positions artistic swimming in a unique field, with possibilities for evolution both competitively and culturally. Currently, collaborations with dance companies, composers, visual artists, and stage designers are being explored, which could even lead the discipline to stages outside the sports environment, such as artistic festivals and aquatic shows.
A new visual language in the water
Current routines are not limited to demonstrating perfect synchronicity and technical difficulty. The goal is also to move the viewer, tell stories, and convey messages through a new underwater visual language.
Thanks to technological advances, innovative elements such as underwater lighting, personalized soundtracks, and thematic scenographies, especially in exhibition presentations and world championships, are beginning to be integrated. These proposals allow a complete redesign of the artistic swimming viewing experience, both live and on digital platforms.
Long-term benefits of the name change
More than a nominal change: a redefinition of the sport
Over time, it has become clear that the name change was not simply semantic. It represented a comprehensive redefinition of the sport, allowing its hybrid nature to be highlighted, combining athletic technique, visual narrative, and artistic sensitivity.
Under the new term, the discipline has gained a broader, more inclusive, and contemporary profile. This is reflected in the evolution of routines, the profile of the athletes, and new competition formats. It has also contributed to a greater connection with the general public, media, and younger audiences.
Olympic visibility and international projection
Ahead of events like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, artistic swimming presents itself as a modern and emotional discipline, attractive to sponsors, media, and new generations of spectators.
This repositioning allows the discipline to access interdisciplinary collaborations, attract resources, and enhance professionalization. In the long term, this translates into greater investment in talent, innovation in routines, and strengthening of the sports-artistic ecosystem surrounding artistic swimming.
The impact on new generations of swimmers
Comprehensive training from the base categories
The new paradigm is already being incorporated from the children's and youth categories. Artistic swimming academies and clubs have expanded their methodologies, integrating contemporary dance, body expression, and theatrical techniques as part of their athletes' basic training.
Girls and boys entering the sport today do so in a more inclusive, creative, and emotionally enriching environment. This approach not only improves their performance in the water but also strengthens skills such as self-esteem, empathy, and non-verbal communication.
The brand's role in this transformation: Turbo Swim as a strategic ally
Design, performance, and aesthetics in every swimsuit
In this context of artistic and technical evolution, sports brands play a crucial role. Turbo Swim, internationally recognized for its innovation in swimsuits and technical equipment, positions itself as a strategic ally of artistic swimming.
Artistic swimming swimsuits require designs that fulfill two fundamental functions: perform at the highest competitive level and enhance the aesthetic and scenic value of routines. For this, it is necessary to have materials resistant to chlorine, vibrant colors, expressive finishes, and details that stand out in the water.
Turbo Swim and its commitment to the evolution of the sport
Thanks to its experience in aquatic sports, Turbo Swim has developed products that meet the new needs of this hybrid sport. From technical suits with perfect fit to accessories designed to stand out underwater, the brand supports the growth of the sport in all its dimensions.
By supporting athletes, coaches, and federations, Turbo Swim demonstrates its commitment to a discipline in full transformation. With every design, every fabric, and every launch, the brand conveys a clear message: water is also a stage to create, excite, and transcend.
A new era for artistic swimming
The name change from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming has been much more than a symbolic gesture. It has marked the beginning of a new era for the sport, where athletic talent and creative sensitivity merge in a unique space of expression.
Thanks to this transformation, the discipline has been updated, has conquered new audiences, strengthened its international presence and aligned with contemporary values such as inclusion, diversity, and theatrical emotion.
In the coming years, we will see new generations of athletes flourish, more impactful routines, and interdisciplinary collaborations that will establish artistic swimming as a global reference sport-art.
From Turbo Swim, we reaffirm our belief that water is a stage where creation, emotion, and transformation happen. That is why we celebrate this evolution and support those who live it every day with passion, effort, and creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Why was the name changed from synchronized swimming to artistic swimming? The change was driven by FINA in 2017 to better reflect the artistic essence of the sport, aligning its name with disciplines like rhythmic gymnastics and figure skating. Additionally, it aimed to increase media visibility and attract new audiences.
What is the difference between artistic swimming and synchronized swimming? Although they share technical foundations, artistic swimming emphasizes body expression, musical interpretation, and creativity. The term reflects a more artistic and theatrical approach, in addition to synchronized technical execution.
What impact did the name change have on the athletes? Athletes and coaches have adapted their training to include elements of dance, theater, and emotional expression. They have also started working with choreographers and stage professionals, enriching the comprehensive development of the athletes.
What role does Turbo Swim have in artistic swimming? Turbo Swim designs swimsuits and accessories adapted to the aesthetic and technical demands of artistic swimming, supporting clubs, federations, and athletes participating in this constantly evolving discipline.
Is artistic swimming in the Olympic Games? Yes. Artistic swimming has been an Olympic discipline since 1984. Starting from Paris 2024, it will also include male competitions, reflecting an evolution towards diversity and inclusion.
