for the first time, men can participate in artistic swimming competitions

Published on 02/05/2024 22:30

Video length: 2 min

Paris 2024: for the first time, men can take part in artistic swimming competitions
Paris 2024: for the first time, men can take part in artistic swimming competitions
(France 2)

D-84 before the Olympic Games. New sports such as breakdancing will make their debut, but also new rules. For the first time, men will be able to participate in artistic swimming competitions. American swimmer Bill May, 47, is hoping to become the first male medalist in the discipline.

On the American team, there is now a man among the mermaids. For the first time in history, artistic swimming will be mixed at the Olympic Games in Paris. Bill May makes this the challenge of his life. At 45, he is a pioneer. He doesn’t wear makeup, but he’s just as lithe and athletic as his female counterparts.

A model for little boys

Bill May came out of retirement when the men qualified for the World Championships, and is now doing everything he can to earn a spot on the team that will represent the United States at the Olympics. “It will be really good for little guys who want to do synchronization”, exults Andrea Fuentes, coach of the US artistic swimming team. Currently, a maximum of two men per team is allowed. But for Muriel Hermine, four-time synchronized swimming champion, “The future is four men and four women. There are opportunities for movement, choreography, acrobatics that are brilliant.”