Swimming Fed Approves Mixed Gender Synchronized Swimming, Diving

(ATR) Mixed gender synchronized swimming is clear for its Olympic debut.

The International Swimming Federation, or FINA, approved of mixed gender synchronized swimming at the federation’s extraordinary congress in Doha on Nov. 29, according to an official statement. Mixed duet will now be introduced in both technical swim and free swim events.

The congress also amended the FINA constitution to establish the high dive as the sixth official aquatic discipline. High dive rules were laid down, having been contested for the first time at the 2013 FINA World Championships, and a set of new rules regarding high dive facilities were created. A defined set of rules for mixed gender 3m and 10m synchronized diving, the newest diving event, were laid down as well.

After the congress was over, federation president Dr. Julio C. Maglione was quoted as saying that "FINA has improved tools to continue developing its activities."

"We live in a very competitive sports market, and as a leading international federation, we need to have the best possible rules to face the inevitable challenges in this area," Maglione said.

The 12th annual FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) will be held in Qatar on Dec. 3 – 7.

Written by Andrew Murrell

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