18 Incredible Pictures of Olympic Artistic Swimming

China’s artistic swimming team.Photo: AP Photo/Morry Gash

01of 18ChinaChina’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry GashThe artistic swimming team competition is made up of a technical routine and a free routine, both performed to music.

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China

China’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry Gash

The artistic swimming team competition is made up of a technical routine and a free routine, both performed to music.

02of 18AustraliaThe Australia artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Jae C. HongThe technical routine must include five designated movements that last, at most, 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

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Australia

The Australia artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

The technical routine must include five designated movements that last, at most, 2 minutes and 50 seconds.

03of 18SpainSpain’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry GashThe free routine, which was held Saturday, lasts three to four minutes long.

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Spain

Spain’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry Gash

The free routine, which was held Saturday, lasts three to four minutes long.

04of 18SpainTeam Spain.Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesCountries recieve points on synchronisation, difficulty, technique and choreography.

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Team Spain.Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Countries recieve points on synchronisation, difficulty, technique and choreography.

05of 18AustraliaTeam Australia.Ian MacNicol/Getty ImagesCompetitors don’t wear just normal swimsuits — they’re decorated one-piece costumes and paired with waterproof makeup.

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Team Australia.Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Competitors don’t wear just normal swimsuits — they’re decorated one-piece costumes and paired with waterproof makeup.

06of 18UkraineUkraine’s artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty ImagesOften, teams' choreography and music pay homage to the country’s culture and heritage.

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Ukraine

Ukraine’s artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images

Often, teams' choreography and music pay homage to the country’s culture and heritage.

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08of 18CanadaTeam Canada.AP Photo/Dmitri LovetskyAccording to Olympics.com, the swimmers keep their hair in place witha substance called gelatine, which is often in food products.

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Canada

Team Canada.AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky

According to Olympics.com, the swimmers keep their hair in place witha substance called gelatine, which is often in food products.

09of 18Russian Olympic CommitteeThe Russian Olympic Committee.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty ImagesThree panels score the teams, with five judges on each panel.

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Russian Olympic Committee

The Russian Olympic Committee.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images

Three panels score the teams, with five judges on each panel.

10of 18ItalyItaly’s artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty ImagesSome of the typical moves in artistic swimming include sculling, AKA quickly moving one’s hands in the water to remain in one spot without touching the pool’s bottom.

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Italy

Italy’s artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images

Some of the typical moves in artistic swimming include sculling, AKA quickly moving one’s hands in the water to remain in one spot without touching the pool’s bottom.

11of 18Russian Olympic CommitteeThe ROC artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty ImagesThe swimmers are expected to be able to hold their breath underwater for extended periods of time.

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The ROC artistic swimming team.Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images

The swimmers are expected to be able to hold their breath underwater for extended periods of time.

12of 18ChinaChina’s team.AP Photo/Morry GashArtistic swimming is frequently referred to as synchronized swimming in America.

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China’s team.AP Photo/Morry Gash

Artistic swimming is frequently referred to as synchronized swimming in America.

13of 18CanadaCanada’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry GashThe United States hasn’t won a gold medal in team artistic swimming since 1996 in Atlanta.

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Canada’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Morry Gash

The United States hasn’t won a gold medal in team artistic swimming since 1996 in Atlanta.

14of 18ChinaChina.AP Photo/Dmitri LovetskyIn addition to the team competiton, there is also an artistic swimming duet event in the Olympics.

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China.AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky

In addition to the team competiton, there is also an artistic swimming duet event in the Olympics.

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Egypt

Egypt’s artistic swimming team.AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

16of 18ChinaChina.AP Photo/Jae C. HongAnother move that helps the swimmers stay above water during a performance is the eggbeater kick.

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China.AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Another move that helps the swimmers stay above water during a performance is the eggbeater kick.

17of 18The Russian Olympic CommitteeThe Russian Olympic Committee.AP Photo/Jae C. HongEvery little detail is judged, even the extension of the performers' fingertips.

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The Russian Olympic Committee

The Russian Olympic Committee.AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Every little detail is judged, even the extension of the performers' fingertips.

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China.AP Photo/Morry Gash

source: people.com