Illustrated History of Synchronized Swimming

History of Synchronized Swimming - Before Synchro Was in the Olympics

Annette Marie Sarah Kellermann (6 July 1887, Sydney, New South Wales – 5 November 1975, Southport, Queensland, Australia) was an Australian professional swimmer, vaudeville and film star, writer, and advocate for the change of women's swim wear.

Public Domain

• 1907 - Water shows were popularized in the US by Australian Annette Kellerman. She gave a water ballet performance at the New York Hippodrome, swimming in a glass tank.
• 1915 - Katherine Curtis (USA) started working on water figures performed to music.
• 1923 - Katherine Curtis founded a water ballet club at the University of Chicago.
• 1934 - Curtis' students perform as the "Modern Mermaids" at the Chicago "Century of Progress" World's Fair. The announcer, Olympic swimming gold medalist Norman Ross, called it "synchronized swimming".
• 1939 - The first recorded competition was held, based on rules written by Katherine Curtis and Frank Havlicek. The competition was between the Chicago Teacher's College (coached by Curtis) and Wright Junior College.
• 1939 - Billy Rose's Aquacade performs at the New York World's Fair, with Olympic swimmers Eleanor Holm and Johnny Weismuller.
• 1940 - Billy Rose's Aquacade performs at the San Francisco World's Fair, with swimmer Esther Williams.
• 1941 - The AAU officially recognizes synchronized swimming as a competitive aquatic sport.
• 1942 - The first US National competition was held.
• 1952 - Synchronized swimming a demonstration event at the Olympic Games - this would be repeated until 1984...

• History of Synchronized Swimming - Before Synchro Was in the Olympics
• 1984 - First Official Olympic Synchronized Swimming Competition
• 1988-1992 - Solo and duet Olympic Events
• 1996 - Atlanta Held Only an 8-person Team Synchronized Swimming Event
• 2000 - Sydney Olympics Featured Team and Duet Synchronized Swimming Events
• 2004 - Olympic Synchronized Swimming Holds Team and Duet Events
• 2008 - Olympic Synchronized Swimming Holds Team and Duet Events