The Olympic sport of synchronized swimming is coming to Qatar for the first time, as part of a wider initiative to set up a local team here.
Trial classes, dubbed Sync-Ro, will take place at Aspire Dome swimming pool on National Sport Day (Feb. 10) as part of a program of sport-related events hosted by Aspire Zone.
Leading the initiative is Italian expat Sara Spadoni, 28, who was a professional synchronized swimmer in Italy for 10 years before retiring due to injuries, as well as to allow her to reduce her five-hours-a-day training schedule to focus on university studies.
Spadoni has had the goal of setting up a synchronized swim team in Qatar since she moved to the country on National Sport Day a year ago, after coaching a young girls’ team in Milan.
It would make Qatar only the second Gulf country after the UAE to have a team practicing the sport, and would expand the nation’s offering for activities particularly aimed at young women.
Spadoni told Doha News:
“I want to raise awareness of synchronized swimming here and to help people understand what it’s all about. It is a sport, but also an art form. It’s feminine but yet powerful and is a great sport for young women to do.
“I thought it would be ideal as it is supporting more women and young people to take up sports. It is an Olympic sport, and if Qatar wants to take part on the international sporting circuit, it should have all Olympic sports here.”
What is it?
Combining swimming, dance and gymnastics, synchronized swimming can be performed solo, in pairs, small groups or larger teams and involves elaborate sequences performed to music. The swimmers are judged on their strength, flexibility and endurance, as well as their ability to perform their moves in complete synchronization.
Spadoni’s aim is to attract some young women to the sport through the initial trial classes, then hopefully to have enough interest to set up a squad, which would meet two or three times weekly, and start training.
“There is a real trend here of empowering women to try new challenges, and to get involved in sports, and I wanted to be part of it,” she added.
The sport is governed internationally by FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation), which already organizes a number of events in Qatar including the 25m World Swimming Championships which were held in Doha in December. It became an Olympic sport in 1984 and now teams and duets compete for medals in the tournament.
The trial lessons are open to girls aged 8-16 years who have reasonable swimming abilities and would like to try their hand at the sport.
There will be two sessions, each two-hours long, at 9am and 3pm, which are free of charge and residents can reserve one of 30 available places by emailing the event organizers – [email protected]. Participants should bring their own swim suits, cap, shorts, t-shirt and goggles.
Thoughts?
Interesting, how this will ever be considered appropriate for men to spectate?
What happens under water, stays under water! 😉 lol
Just add gambling, chips & beer.
I want one of those underwater windows, a recliner, brats and beer. The perfect afternoon of sports.
LOL this is too much. Headline…6 of the 8 team members drowned when they were entangled in wet abayas. That after suing the federation to be able to wear them in the first place.
I’m pretty sure this will be a female spectator sport only.
I doubt it can be if they want to compete.
Maybe ladies will be interested if it is a class she is offering but she can forget about trying to create a team to compete. Although it is a physically rigorous activity, the element of dance, costume and performance that is attached to this sport would not go well with the majority here.
Handball is pretty dull but synchronised swimming…. Well that is plumbing the depths…… It is shocking it is called an Olympic sport, what next cake cutting?
If people choose to take part then that is fine with me but to watch is the equivalent of watching paint dry, except for the perveted men who like to watch the legs part when they are upside down. Hang on, it might just be a hit in Qatar!
Are you kidding, golf is worse than watching paint dry yet people seem to do it. At least those who participate are probably fitter than your average golfer so I think it’s a great thing to try out for on the sports day.
I agree. I like to play golf but to watch it is boring and it shouldn’t be in the Olympics either. They have their own championships.
I’ve always enjoyed watching synchronized swimming Q.Q
It along with gymnastics, snowboarding, and ice skating are some of my fav sports to watch.
To each his own I suppose! 😛
Second most boring olympic sport after wrestling of course.
An excellent initiative though, a very good low-impact workout.
Not so sure about that if she had to retire due to injuries.
For those looking for intelligent commentary on the subject above, close this tab now and never read any of the comments, because the Anti-Qatar-in-Everything Brigade of the DN Commentator Regiment is already entrenched and circlejerking themselves into a frenzy.
Seriously be serious about this? Qatari girls on a service trip were bashed by locals for not wearing abayas in the frickin’ Amazon Jungle. And the AEBB is being bashed for not taking THIS serious? I’m seeing the team being all blonde Russians and only Qatari men are allowed to attend.
LOL
Had to Urban Dictionary that to see where you were headed with circle jerk. I was only familiar with definitions 1 and 2, but definition 3is an absolutely perfect fit for you sentiment.
The worst, most pointless “sport” in the world. I hated it from the moment I first saw it and rate it just below handball.
I found it so interesting to read comments here. Though some are non sense, still some are logical & at times really funny. Views which differ & contradicts, but each individual is entitled to his/her own opinion. Respecting other’s idea is a good value. BTW, I don’t comment, just read & like…
But this is a comment! Stop lying to us Lorin!
You are scaring Lorin. hehehe
Oh God! This is another sport where Qatar will have to naturalize every player if it wants to compete internationally. Or is it only meant to entertain the expat community rather than to create a national team? 🙂