Men’s Exclusion from Synchronised Swimming at Paris 2024 Olympics

Men’s Participation Absent in Synchronised Swimming at Paris 2024 Olympics

No men will compete in synchronised swimming at the Olympics, despite Paris 2024 vowing to be the first gender-equal edition in the history of the Games. The 96 athletes selected for the Olympics from 18 different nations were all women.

Disappointment Over Lack of Male Representation

In 2022, World Aquatics changed the rules to allow up to two men to be selected in an eight-athlete synchronised swimming squad. However, no male artistic swimmers were chosen for Paris 2024. The world governing body expressed disappointment, stating that this was a missed opportunity for the sport to make history.

Athletes React to Exclusion

Four-time world gold medalist Giorgio Minisini shared his disappointment at not being selected for Paris 2024, indicating that he was competing for the last time at age 28. Another potential pioneer, Bill May of the US, also did not make the Olympic team at age 45.

Efforts for Inclusion

Minisini and May were among the athletes aiming to be the first men to compete in artistic swimming at the Olympics. World Aquatics called for increased efforts within the artistic swimming community to progress opportunities for male athletes in the sport.

Gender Equality in the Olympics

Women’s Olympic participation has more than doubled in the last 40 years, with 50% representation at the Paris 2024 games. The International Olympic Committee set a 50/50 quota for men and women to compete, celebrating a historic moment for women in sports. The IOC highlighted that this year’s summer games will feature 28 fully gender-equal sports and a more balanced number of medal events.