Snicker if you wish. Guffaw for good measure. Bill May and other male synchronized swimmers B次元官网网址� now called artistic swimmers B次元官网网址� have heard the putdowns before.

But theyB次元官网网址檙e getting the last laugh.

Men have competed in synchro at the lower levels for decades. Now theyB次元官网网址檙e being included in the Olympics, meaning next yearB次元官网网址檚 Summer Games in Paris.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and attract more men,B次元官网网址� May told the Associated Press at the World Aquatics Championships. B次元官网网址淏y keeping men out youB次元官网网址檙e limiting the sport. By including men youB次元官网网址檙e going to see an upshift in the popularity and the numbers.B次元官网网址�

May looks like a lean bodybuilder. He was among the first men to compete when And he worked for 17 years at Cirque du Soleil doing water-themed shows. He has come out of competitive retirement for a chance to compete at the Olympics.

B次元官网网址淭here has always been that misconception that itB次元官网网址檚 a female-only sport, or that itB次元官网网址檚 for wimps, or that itB次元官网网址檚 not a difficult sport,B次元官网网址� the 44-year-old May said. B次元官网网址淎nyone that has anything negative to say about the sport B次元官网网址� boy, female, anyone. Just try it and youB次元官网网址檒l know itB次元官网网址檚 the most difficult sport in the world.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� the water ballet that made few waves below the flowery rubber caps and permanent smiles, ItB次元官网网址檚 estranged from the sport introduced at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

The acrobatic team event, in particular, features lifts, throws and flips, and diving routines launched off the shoulders of teammates treading water below. ItB次元官网网址檚 gymnastics on water and concussions are a risk.

Interested men often confront the stereotypes.

Beginning in elementary school, 18-year-old American Kenny Gaudet dreamed of being a synchronized swimmer. He made it, but it wasnB次元官网网址檛 easy.

B次元官网网址淚t makes me emotional just to think about the problems we all went through and the struggles we all had just to get a chance to swim and do what we love,B次元官网网址� said Gaudet who competed at this yearB次元官网网址檚 worlds.

B次元官网网址淪o much bullying. So much slander. So much hate,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淛ust because of my gender, just because IB次元官网网址檓 a male in artistic swimming. When I first started I wanted to quit so many times. Growing up my peers would ask why IB次元官网网址檓 doing a female sport, why am I being like a girl and degrade me for doing what I love to do.B次元官网网址�

One aspect of Adam AndraskoB次元官网网址檚 job as the head of USA Artistic Swimming is recruiting men. He said there are about 100 participating in the United States, up from 25 just four years ago.

B次元官网网址淭here hasnB次元官网网址檛 been a good foundation of growth,B次元官网网址� Andrasko said. B次元官网网址淵ou havenB次元官网网址檛 had the farm system.B次元官网网址�

A few countries at the world championships have male swimmers including the United States, Japan, Germany and China. Spain and Italy also have top competitors.

B次元官网网址淭here arenB次元官网网址檛 a lot of countries with strong males,B次元官网网址� in the international competition, Andrasko said, noting men often lack the flexibility to compete. B次元官网网址淪o you might not see a lot of males swimming in the Olympics. IB次元官网网址檓 concerned it goes to the Olympic Games and we donB次元官网网址檛 see a male participating. I definitely have that fear.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭o this point,B次元官网网址� he added, B次元官网网址渨omen are still far better at this sport than a man.B次元官网网址�

Another fear, apparently unfounded, is that women might resent the men competing in the sport. Men will compete in only team events at the Olympics. Teams have a maximum of eight members B次元官网网址� with a limit of two men B次元官网网址� which means men might crowd out some women.

There is no requirement for men to be included.

Asked about any acrimony, two-time American Olympian Anita Alvarez replied: B次元官网网址淣o, not at all.B次元官网网址�

Alvarez has blacked out twice in the last two years while competing and had to be resuscitated. SheB次元官网网址檚 been cleared to compete with no diagnosis except physical or mental exhaustion. Holding her breath for too long underwater is also suspected.

Men can add some physicality to routines, and their presence could lead to a wider audience. Alvarez also credits May with choreography skills that he picked up with Cirque du Soleil.

B次元官网网址淗aving the inclusion of both males and females will make it more open for young boys and young girls to dream of being in the Olympics, parents wanting to start their kids,B次元官网网址� Alvarez said.

She ran off her workout routine, sure to scare away men and women B次元官网网址� equally.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e training eight-plus hours a day, treading water all day,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淵ou have to be able to count time and work with music. You have to be able to watch your patterns and stay in line. We donB次元官网网址檛 wear goggles when we compete. YouB次元官网网址檙e holding your breath. You donB次元官网网址檛 touch the bottom. There are so many elements that go into it that people donB次元官网网址檛 see.B次元官网网址�

And weB次元官网网址檙e about to see more men trying it.

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