The Following took place between the 1982 and 1986 Intercalated Games as the 1984 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles
The First Artistic Swimming Competition of the 1984 Summer Olympics took place in Los Angeles
Here are The Squads Competing In Team
USA: Tracie Ruiz, Candy Costie, Karen Josephson, Sarah Josephson, Karen Callaghan, Becky Roy, Holly Spencer, Mary Visniski
Canada: Carolyn Waldo, Sharon Hambrook, Kelly Kryczka, Penny Villagos, Vicky Vilagos, Michelle Cameron, Sylvie Frechette, Missy Morlock
Japan: Miwako Motoyoshi, Ikuko Abe, Masako Fujiwara, Kazuno Fujiwara, Masae Fujiwara, Tomoko Ishi, Saeko Kimura, Akiko Otani
Great Britain: Carolyn Wilson, Amanda Dodd, Caroline Holmyard, Alison Bowler, Allison Garratt, Helen Page, Nicola Shearn, Philippa Sutton
Netherlands: Marijke Engelen, Catrien Eijken, Petri Engels, Marjolein Philipsen, Margo Siedel, Esther Theisen, Judith van de Berg, Annette van der Loo
France: Muriel Hermine, Pascale Besson, Odile Petit, Catherine Amesland, Catherine Hameon, Isabelle Hery, Karine Schuler, Anne Capron
West Germany: Gudrun Hänisch, Gerlind Scheller, Christine Lang, Heike Leibold, Kerstin Jork, Ute Hasse, Marion Aizpors, Petra Zindler
Mexico: Claudia Novelo, Pilar Ramírez, Lourdes Candini, Sonia Cardenas, Enriqueta Aguilar, Elsa Hernandez, Leticia Medel, Angelica Villamar
Switzerland Karin Singer & Edith Boss The high-technical European "Art-Duet" showcase.
🇦🇹 Austria Alexandra Worisch & Eva-Maria Edinger A classical routine, likely to Strauss or Mozart.
🇧🇷 Brazil Paula & Tessa Carvalho High-energy South American choreography.
🇦🇺 Australia Donella Burridge & Lisa Steanes The "Oceania Showcase" with creative, modern music.
🇳🇿 New Zealand Katie & Lynette Sadleir Famous for their mirror-image synchronization.
🇧🇪 Belgium Katia Overfeldt & Patricia Serneels Bringing a refined, traditional European style.
🇪🇸 Spain Ana Tarrés & Monica Antich The early spark of what would become a Spanish powerhouse.
🇪🇬 Egypt Sahar Helal & Sahar Youssef
🇩🇴 Dominican Republic Ximena Carias & Maribel Solis
🇦🇳 Neth. Antilles Esther Croes & Nicole Hoevertsz
🇮🇹 Italy Antonella Terenzi
🇻🇪 Venezuela Ana Amicarella
🇧🇧 Barbados Chemene Sinson
In Total: 82 Will be Participating
Here's The Highlights of The Team
Team USA: "The Hollywood Spectacle"
The Vibe: Pure Americana. They likely would have marched out to a Michael Jackson medley or a high-tempo version of Yankee Doodle Dandy.
The Highlight: The "Threading the Needle"—the move Tracie Ruiz and Candy Costie made famous in their Duet. In the Team version, all 8 swimmers would intertwine their legs in a massive, rotating circular chain, creating a kaleidoscope effect that would have earned them the first perfect 10.0 for Artistic Impression.
The Finish: A synchronized "Breakdance" segment on the pool deck before their final dive—bringing 1984 street culture directly into the Olympic pool.
Team Canada: "The Precision Machine"
The Vibe: Mathematical and powerful. Their music would have been cinematic and orchestral, emphasizing their height and strength.
The Highlight: The "Split Crash." In a display of terrifyingly perfect timing, all 8 swimmers would execute flat-out splits simultaneously, hitting the water at the exact same micro-second.
The Secret Weapon: The Vilagos Twins. Having a pair of identical twins in the center of an 8-person formation creates a visual illusion of a mirror. Their synchronization would be so tight that the judges wouldn't be able to tell where one swimmer ended and the next began.
Team Japan: "The Rapid-Fire Leg-Work"
The Vibe: High-energy and intricate. Japan’s choreography was decades ahead of its time in terms of speed.
The Highlight: The "Propeller Spin." While the other teams focused on grace, Japan focused on "BPM" (beats per minute). Their routine would feature a 30-second sequence where only their legs were visible, moving like high-speed pistons in perfectly synchronized circular patterns.
The Impact: This would be the routine that "changed the rules," forcing future judges to value speed and technical difficulty as much as beauty.
EXHIBITION GALA
PBP: Jim McKay, Donna De Varona & Esther Williams
Act #1: The "L.A. 84" Grand Entrance
The Music: A sweeping, synthesizer-heavy arrangement of John Williams’ "Olympic Fanfare and Theme."
The Action:
The Deck-Work: All 82 athletes from the 21 nations emerge from the four corners of the stadium simultaneously. They are wearing custom, high-shimmer metallic suits—Gold for the top 8 teams, Silver and Bronze for the individual nations.
The Synchronized Walk: They don't just walk; they move in a rhythmic, militaristic "march-step" onto the pool deck, lining the entire perimeter of the stadium.
The Entry: On the final brass crescendo of the music, the swimmers execute a "Sequential Entry." Starting at the north end, the swimmers dive in one-by-one in a rapid-fire wave that circles the pool in less than 10 seconds.
The Formation: All 82 swimmers surface at once, creating a massive "human chain" that spans the width of the pool, moving in a giant, rotating "X" pattern.
To make this broadcast work with 82 athletes, the production needs structure. In this alternate 1984, the Gala is organized into Sections based on the "What If" Team results and geographical blocks, each led by a legendary Squad Leader.
Here is the organizational chart for the "Symphony in the Water" Gala.
The Grand Marshal: Tracie Ruiz (USA)
Section 1: The "Medalist Tier" (The Powerhouses)
Squad Leader: Carolyn Waldo (Canada)
USA Section Leader: Candy Costie
Canada Section Leader: Kelly Kryczka
Japan Section Leader: Miwako Motoyoshi
Section 2: The "European Front"
Squad Leader: Carolyn Wilson (Great Britain)
Technical Section Leader: Marijke Engelen (Netherlands)
Artistic Section Leader: Muriel Hermine (France)
Mediterranean Leader: Ana Tarrés (Spain)
Section 3: The "Global Specialists"
Squad Leader: Paula Carvalho (Brazil)
Pan-American Section Leader: Claudia Novelo (Mexico)
Oceania Section Leader: Donella Burridge (Australia)
Act #2: The Continental Duets
Soundtrack: A custom 1984 medley titled "One World, One Water" — featuring a blend of Toto’s "Africa" (instrumental sections), Sérgio Mendes’ "Olympia", and high-energy Latin Percussion.
This act shifts from the massive 82-person military precision of Act #1 to a vibrant, rhythmic celebration of the 13 nations that specialize in the Duet.
Squad Leader (Overall Act Director): Paula Carvalho (Brazil)
Section Leader (Americas): Claudia Novelo (Mexico)
Section Leader (Oceania): Donella Burridge (Australia)
Act #3: The European "Art House"
Soundtrack: A synthesized, atmospheric medley starting with Vangelis’ "Chariots of Fire" (the ambient opening) transitioning into a sleek, avant-garde arrangement of Kraftwerk’s "Tour de France".
This act moves away from the splashes and rhythm of the previous segments. The lighting shifts to deep violets and cool whites, turning the pool into a gallery of moving sculptures. This is where the technical mastery of the European continent takes center stage.
Squad Leader (Overall Act Director): Carolyn Wilson (Great Britain)
Section Leader (The Technical Spine): Marijke Engelen (Netherlands)
Section Leader (The Creative Visionary): Muriel Hermine (France)
The Performance Highlights
The "Floating Cathedral": As the Vangelis track swells, the 40 swimmers form a massive, multi-layered rectangle. On the beat, they submerge their upper bodies, and 40 pairs of legs rise in perfect unison, forming a "forest of white" that moves in slow, mechanical rotations like the gears of a clock.
The "Negative Space" Star: Led by Muriel Hermine, the French and Swiss swimmers break away into the center. They perform a "Submerged Kaleidoscope," where they link hands and feet just below the surface, creating a hollow star pattern that the ABC Blimp captures perfectly from above.
The "Kraftwerk" Glide: As the electronic beat of "Tour de France" kicks in, Marijke Engelen leads the Dutch and German squads in a high-speed "Flat Glide." They move across the pool in a rigid, robotic formation, using only their hands for propulsion, appearing to slide across the water like glass.
Act #4: The Solo Queen's Farewell
Soundtrack: A dramatic, custom-edited transition starting with the atmospheric piano intro of "All by Myself" (Eric Carmen), which builds into a powerful, high-energy crescendo of "Flashdance... What a Feeling" (Irene Cara).
This is the emotional heart of the broadcast. The pool is cleared of the massive formations, leaving a single, brilliant spotlight dancing on the surface of the water for the world’s greatest solo artist.
The Chain of Command
While this is a "Solo" act, the logistics of the 12,000-person stadium require a support structure to frame the Queen.
Squad Leader (The Solo Queen): Tracie Ruiz (USA)
Section Leader (The Guard of Honor): Ana Amicarella (Venezuela)
Section Leader (The Final Petal): Muriel Hermine (France)
The Performance Highlights
The Silent Entry: As the piano notes of "All by Myself" echo through the stadium, Tracie Ruiz appears on the high platform. She doesn't dive; she descends the ladder and slides into the water with zero splash, beginning a slow, soulful "water-ballet" sequence that emphasizes her legendary flexibility.
The "Flashdance" Explosion: Just as the Irene Cara beat drops, the tempo shifts. Tracie erupts from the water into a "Vertical Barracuda," spinning three full rotations before submerging.
The "Human Lane": The 12 solo specialists from nations like Egypt, Barbados, and Italy surface in two parallel lines. Tracie swims through this "Honor Guard," performing high-speed arm movements that are mirrored by the soloists as she passes them.
The Grand "Floral Petal": For the finale, the 8 Section Leaders (Waldo, Wilson, Carvalho, etc.) submerge and surround Tracie. They surface in a circle, leaning back and extending their legs outward like the petals of a blooming lily, with Tracie rising from the center in a triumphant "High-V" salute.
Act #5: The "Twin-Chronicity" Spectacular
Soundtrack: A rhythmic, percussion-heavy mashup of The Pointer Sisters’ "I’m So Excited" and Eurythmics’ "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". The beat is steady, driving, and perfectly timed for "mirror-image" choreography.
This act highlights the rarest phenomenon in the sport: the biological advantage of identical twins. In the 1980s, the synchronization between twins was considered the "Gold Standard" of the discipline.
The Chain of Command
This act is built on symmetry. To make it work, the pool is divided into two identical halves, with the "Twin-Sync" leaders at the epicenter.
Squad Leader (The American Side): Sarah Josephson (USA)
Squad Leader (The Canadian Side): Penny Vilagos (Canada)
Section Leader (The Double-Duet): Alice Josephson (USA) & Vicky Vilagos (Canada)
The Performance Highlights
The "Optical Illusion" Entry: The four twins (Sarah, Alice, Penny, and Vicky) march onto the deck from opposite sides. They wear identical suits—one side of the suit is solid blue, the other is solid red. As they turn and spin on the deck, it looks like eight different people are moving instead of four.
The "Mirror Carousel": In the water, the Josephsons and Vilagos form a square. As "Sweet Dreams" plays, they perform a rotating sequence where they swap partners. For a moment, a Josephson and a Vilagos are paired, but because their technique is so similar, the audience (and the cameras) can't tell they aren't the original pairs.
The "Shadow Cross": The two sets of twins swim directly toward each other at high speed. At the last possible second, they submerge and "cross" underneath one another, surfacing on the opposite side in the exact same pose they started in.
The "Four-Headed Hydra": For the finale, the four women link arms in a tight circle, facing outward. They perform a rapid-fire series of "Leg-Crank" moves where all eight legs emerge from the center of the circle, moving like a single, complex machine.
Act #6: The Rising Sun
Soundtrack: A high-octane, driving techno-fusion of Yellow Magic Orchestra’s "Rydeen" and the taiko-drum-heavy "Theme from Akira". The tempo is significantly faster than any previous act, clocking in at over 140 BPM.
If the previous acts were about grace and architecture, Act #6 is about kinetic energy. Japan’s squad was famous for the "Total Body" approach, where every limb moves at lightning speed.
The Chain of Command
To manage the highest-speed choreography of the night, the Japanese leaders use a "pulsing" method to keep the 82-person backdrop in sync with the center action.
Squad Leader (The Velocity Master): Miwako Motoyoshi (Japan)
Section Leader (The Technical Pace): Saeko Kimura (Japan)
Section Leader (The Peripheral Wave): Kazuno Fujiwara (Japan)
The Performance Highlights
The "Propeller" Start: As the taiko drums boom, the 8 Japanese swimmers submerge. Suddenly, 16 legs erupt from the center, performing a "Propeller Spin"—a 720-degree rotation at a speed that makes the water turn into a white-mist spray.
The "Scanning Wave": While the Japanese Team performs rapid-fire underwater transitions in the center, the remaining 74 swimmers around the edge of the pool perform a "Scanning Wave." They move their arms in a synchronized, jagged motion that looks like a digital equalizer on a stereo.
The "Bullet" formation: The Japanese squad forms a tight "V" shape and "cuts" through the water from one end of the pool to the other using only high-speed breaststroke pulls, never breaking the surface of the water with their heads.
The "Instant Vertical": For the finale, the music stops abruptly. Total silence for one second. Then, on a final drum crash, all 8 Japanese swimmers launch themselves waist-high out of the water in a "Double-Arm Salute," perfectly frozen in mid-air.
Act #7: The "Small Nation" Spotlight
Soundtrack: A global fusion medley featuring Miriam Makeba’s "Pata Pata" (instrumental sections) and an upbeat, steel-drum arrangement of Bob Marley’s "Could You Be Loved". The music is warm, celebratory, and "sun-drenched."
This act belongs to the 13 "Individual" Nations. While they didn't have the 8-person rosters to compete in the Team event, these women are the true ambassadors who brought the sport to every corner of the globe.
Squad Leader (The Pioneer): Dahlia Mokbel (Egypt)
Section Leader (The Caribbean Rhythm): Chemene Sinson (Barbados)
Section Leader (The European Individualists): Alexandra Worisch (Austria)
The Performance Highlights
The "Global Star": The 18 swimmers from the 13 individual nations link hands in the center to form a rotating, 18-pointed star. As the steel drums kick in, they perform a "Ripple Leg-Extension"—starting with Egypt and ending with Barbados—that circles the star like a spinning wheel.
The "Solo Showcase" Medley: The music pauses for five-second "bursts." In each burst, a soloist like Antonella Terenzi (Italy) or Sahar Helal (Egypt) pops up in a different part of the pool to perform her signature technical move (a vertical twist, a crane position, or a high-speed spin).
The "Tropical Float": Led by Chemene Sinson, the Caribbean and Latin American swimmers form a "floating raft" where they use their arms to "row" the formation across the pool while the European soloists perform graceful "ballet-leg" patterns on top.
The "Unity Splash": For the finale, the 18 swimmers form a circle and perform a simultaneous "Back-Tuck Somersault." As they hit the water, they all kick their legs upward, creating a "fountain spray" in the center of the pool.
Act #8: The "Maple Leaf" Power
Soundtrack: A powerful, cinematic orchestral arrangement featuring the soaring melodies of Bryan Adams’ "Straight from the Heart" (instrumental) and Rush’s "Tom Sawyer" for the technical sections. The music is heavy on the "Power Ballad" energy of the early 80s.
This act showcases the Canadian squad’s greatest strength: Vertical Height. In the 1980s, the Canadians were the tallest and most physically powerful team, known for pushing the limits of how high a human body could rise out of the water.
The Chain of Command: The Canadian "Machine" is organized around the "Big Three" who had just dominated the Solo and Duet podiums earlier in the week.
Squad Leader (The Captain): Carolyn Waldo (Canada)
Section Leader (The Technical Hub): Sharon Hambrook (Canada)
Section Leader (The Peripheral Sync): Kelly Kryczka (Canada)
The Performance Highlights
The "Staircase" Lift: To the driving beat of Tom Sawyer, the 8-person Canadian team forms a line. In a move that looks like a slow-motion optical illusion, each swimmer rises higher than the one before them, creating a perfect diagonal "staircase" of bodies standing waist-deep in the water.
The "Vilagos Mirror": In the center of the formation, identical twins Penny and Vicky Vilagos perform a "High-Vertical Twist." They spin in opposite directions at such a height that their entire torsos are visible, moving with the mechanical precision of a clock.
The "Maple Leaf" Bloom: The team forms a tight circle and submerges. Suddenly, they explode outward into a "Back-Lay" position, their legs forming the distinct points of a maple leaf.
The "Grand Platform": For the finale, the entire team converges to lift Carolyn Waldo. Unlike the American "Flashdance" lift, this is slow and majestic. Waldo is lifted so high by her seven teammates that she is able to perform a full "Ballet Leg" completely above the surface of the water as the music reaches its final crescendo.
Act #9: The "Stars & Stripes" Finale
Soundtrack: A high-energy, Hollywood-produced medley featuring Giorgio Moroder’s "Reach Out" (the official 1984 Olympic Theme) and a pulse-pounding remix of Lionel Richie’s "All Night Long".
This is the peak of the "Hollywood influence" in the Games. As the home team, the US squad doesn't just perform—they put on a Broadway-caliber show that pushes the sport’s theatrical boundaries into a new era.
The Chain of Command
Squad Leader (The Icon): Tracie Ruiz (USA)
Section Leader (The Power Engine): Candy Costie (USA)
Section Leader (The 82-Swimmer Frame): Sarah Josephson (USA)
The Performance Highlights
The "California Kick" Entry: The US team enters the pool deck with a high-energy dance routine. Instead of a traditional dive, they execute a "Running Cannonball-into-Split"—a high-risk entry that transitions immediately into a 16-leg split formation on the water's surface.
The "Propeller Lift": To the beat of "All Night Long," two US swimmers are launched simultaneously. They perform a "Double Helicopter" spin in mid-air before hitting the water, a move never before seen in 1984 competition.
The "Star-Spangled Spiral": The 8-person team forms a vertical line. As they rotate, they submerge one by one while kicking, creating a spiral of white water that looks like a DNA strand rising from the pool.
The "Freedom Flyer": For the finale, the entire 82-swimmer contingent begins a rhythmic hand-clapping sequence underwater (the "Deep Knock"). Tracie Ruiz is launched from the center, reaching a height where her knees are level with the water's surface. She holds a perfect "V-Salute" as a massive American flag is projected onto the stadium’s scoreboard.
Act #10: The Grand Finale
Part #1: The "Horizon of Dreams" (Full Body)
Soundtrack: "A Chance for Heaven" by Christopher Cross
Squad Leader: Tracie Ruiz (USA) * Section Leaders: Carolyn Wilson (UK) and Paula Carvalho (BRA)
Soundtrack: "A Chance for Heaven" by Christopher Cross The atmosphere is one of soaring triumph. Instead of a rotating circle, the 82 athletes utilize the entire length of the stadium pool to create a linear masterpiece.
The Command Structure:
Squad Leader (The Point): Tracie Ruiz (USA) * Section Leaders (The Flanks): Carolyn Waldo (CAN) and Miwako Motoyoshi (JPN) * The Formation: The "Grand Linear Arrow." All 82 swimmers form a massive, forward-pointing V-shape that stretches from the deep end to the shallow end.
The Detailed Routine:
The Rising Tide: As the first verse begins, the swimmers perform a "Sequential Rise." Starting from the back of the arrow and moving toward the front, each athlete rises to a chest-high "Vertical," creating a wave effect of human bodies emerging from the blue.
The Wing-Span: On the chorus ("Taking a chance for heaven..."), the athletes in the "wings" of the arrow perform a "Back-Lay" while simultaneously extending one arm toward the stadium lights. From the overhead cameras, it looks like a giant bird of prey spreading its wings across the water.
The Medalist Diamond: In the center of the V, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal squads from the Solo, Duet, and Team events form a tight diamond. They execute a "Rotating Lift," hoisting Tracie Ruiz and Carolyn Waldo above the surface as they perform mirrored "Ballet Leg" extensions.
The Converging Star: As the song reaches its bridge, the arrow collapses inward, with all 82 swimmers swimming toward the center to form a tight, pulsing cluster, preparing for the high-energy shift of Part #2.
Part #2: The "High-Velocity Forest"
The Setting: The 82 athletes have just submerged from the "Grand Mandala." The stadium is a wall of sound, the lights are pulsing neon, and the pool surface is a tense, bubbling blue. The Soundtrack: "Footloose" (Kenny Loggins) transitioning into "Walking on Sunshine" (Katrina and the Waves).
Part #2: The "High-Velocity Forest" & The "Goodbye Wave" (Legs Only)
The Context: The competition is over. The pressure is off. The 82 athletes are now performing purely for the 12,000 fans in the stadium and the millions watching ABC.
The Soundtrack: "Footloose" (Kenny Loggins) into "Walking on Sunshine" (Katrina and the Waves).
The Command Structure (Underwater)
Squad Leader (The Metronome): Miwako Motoyoshi (Japan)
Section Leader (Technical Alignment): Marijke Engelen (Netherlands)
Section Leader (The Wave Trigger): Sharon Hambrook (Canada)
Next Up is 1988 in Seoul, Korea as Artistic Swimming took place in the 1988 Summer Olympics
PBP: Don Criqui (will be replaced by Dick Enberg for the Exhibition Gala)
Color Commentary: Candy Costie-Burke
Deck Reporter: Karin Larsen
Exhibition Gala Primetime Host: Bryant Gumbel
The Squads Competed
Canada: Carolyn Waldo, Michelle Cameron, Karin Larsen, Nathalie Guay, Lise Bégin, Missy Morlock, Penny Vilagos, Vicky Vilagos
France: Muriel Hermine, Karine Schuler, Anne Capron, Gaëlle Quelin, Catherine Hameon, Marianne Aeschbacher, Céline Leveêque, Myriam Lignot
Great Britain: Nicola Shearn, Lian Goodwin, Joanne Seeburg, Samantha Masterton, Sarah Northey, Natasha Inman, Claire Smith, Sharon Roberts
Japan: Mikako Kotani, Miyako Tanaka, Megumi Ito, Erika Suzuki, Kiyomi Ishijima, Yukiha Nakajima, Mieko Funayama, Tomoko Kashiwagi
South Korea: Ha Soo-kyung, Kim Mijinsu, Choi Jung-yoon, Park Ji-hye, Lee Yoon-sun, Jung Myung-hee, Choi Min-hee, Kang Sun-mi.
Switzerland: Karin Singer, Edith Boss, Claudia Peczinka, Caroline Imoberdorf, Daniela Giovanoli, Nicole Zurcher, Brigitte Frei, Eva-Maria Geyer
USA: Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, Karen Josephson, Sarah Josephson, Kristen Babb-Sprague, Michelle Svitenko, Lori Hatch, Susan Reed, Becky Dyroen-Lancer
USSR: Karin Singer, Edith Boss, Claudia Peczinka, Caroline Imoberdorf, Daniela Giovanoli, Nicole Zurcher, Brigitte Frei, Eva-Maria Geyer
The Solo and Duet Specialists
Aruba: Yvette Thuis, Roswitha Lopez
The Results
Team Regular
The focus here was on lifts, choreography, and the "Total Package."
Gold: Canada (Carolyn Waldo & Michelle Cameron leading)
Silver: USA (The Josephson Twins leading)
Bronze: France (Muriel Hermine leading)
The Narrative: France jumped ahead of Japan in this category because their "Artistic Expression" was deemed superior, even though their technical difficulty was slightly lower.
2. Team Legs Only (The "Technical Power" Final)
The arms were strictly "out of play" for the majority of the routine. Judging focused on the height of the hips above water and the steadiness of the vertical lines.
Gold: Japan (Mikako Kotani leading)
Silver: USSR (Christina Thalassinidou leading)
Bronze: USA (Tracie Ruiz-Conforto leading)
The Narrative: Japan’s "Legs Only" specialists were nicknamed the "Submarines." Their ability to sustain a high-speed "eggbeater" kick while performing rapid-fire leg crossovers was unprecedented. The USSR took Silver due to their incredible flexibility and "balletic" leg extensions.
A Deep Drive into the USA Routine
1. Team Regular: "The Hollywood Technopop"
The USA’s Regular routine was designed to be a "Fast-Forward" into the 1990s. While Canada went for classical elegance, the Americans went for pure, high-octane energy.
The Music: A high-tempo medley of synthesized pop and cinematic orchestral swells.
The Choreography: It was famous for "The Snap." Every arm movement was executed with such force that you could hear the water splash in rhythm with the music. They performed a record-breaking six "Platform Lifts" (where multiple swimmers launch one athlete out of the water), including the first-ever "Double-Twist Vault."
The Result (Silver): The judges gave them the highest Artistic Impression score of the night, but they were docked 0.1 points in Technical Merit due to a slight synchronization gap during a blind-entry formation.
2. Team Legs Only: "The Iron Pistons"
This was where the USA truly showcased their physical conditioning. In the Team Legs Only final, the Americans focused on "Sustained Vertical Height."
The Focus: While Japan won gold by moving their legs fast, the USA took the Bronze by staying higher.
The Signature Move: The "Grand Piston." For 30 continuous seconds, the entire team held a perfect vertical position with their hips completely above the water line, performing rapid-fire "Flamingo" and "Crane" leg switches.
The Strategy: They utilized a specialized "heavy-water" training method they had refined in the lead-up to the 1986 Lausanne Games, allowing them to maintain buoyancy longer than any other team.
The Result (Bronze): They were narrowly beaten by the USSR (Silver) for the "balletic" extension of their toes, but the Americans were widely considered the "most powerful" squad in the pool.
However The Exhibition Gala takes place but with a Slight Change Dick Enberg replaced Don Criqui to join Bryant Gumbel and Candy Costie-Burke for the Exhibition Gala.
Act I: The Opening Number – "The Morning Calm"
The first act is a breathtaking fusion of traditional Korean culture and modern 1980s athleticism. It serves to introduce all 112 athletes from 18 nations while honoring the host city, Seoul.
1. The Entry: The "Avalanche of Grace"
The drums begin, but instead of a small group, the Pungmul drummers now line the entire length of the stadium.
Dick Enberg: "The 'Drum of the Han' has begun! And there are our leaders on the high platform. Waldo, Ruiz, and Kotani... and they are joined by the captains of the other 15 nations! 18 leaders on the ledge!"
[The 18 leaders dive in perfect unison.]
Bryant Gumbel: "And look at the 'Zipper Entry' now! With 112 swimmers, the wave doesn't just travel once—it’s a continuous spiral of splashes! It looks like a white-water rapid circling the arena. Simply spectacular!"
2. The Choreography: The Great Taegeuk
Because there are now 112 athletes, the formation is much more complex.
The Inner Core (18 Leaders): Perform a high-speed vertical spin.
The Middle Ring (44 Swimmers): Form a rotating "interlocking leg" star.
The Outer Perimeter (50 Swimmers): Perform a "Back Layout," creating a massive human boundary.
Candy Costie-Burke: "Dick, look at the scale of the Taegeuk now! With 112 people, the red and blue swirling symbol isn't just a small icon—it fills the entire field of play! The long chiffon tails on their wrists are creating a 'smoke effect' in the water. It’s hauntingly beautiful."
3. The Finale: The Lotus Monsoon
Dick Enberg: "The synth-pop is kicking in. The transition to the modern era! Here comes the 'Rocket Split.' Oh, my! One hundred and twelve athletes rising as one!"
Bryant Gumbel: "It’s a forest of legs! And the lotus petals... it’s not just a burst, Dick, it’s a monsoon! The petals are falling from the rafters and being released from the water simultaneously. You can’t even see the surface anymore!"
Act #2: The Three Seasons – "The Passing of the Torch"
Segment 1: The Blue Island – Japanese Precision (Mikako Kotani)
The arena goes dark, and a piercing cerulean blue spotlight finds Mikako Kotani alone in the center.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the focus. Kotani... the Bronze medalist, but the gold standard for technique. Candy, look at that leg."
Candy Costie-Burke: "That’s her signature 'Ballet Leg.' Look at the extension. There is no tremor, no wobble. In Japan, they call her the 'Calligraphy Brush.' She isn't just swimming; she is writing a poem on the surface of the Jamsil pool."
Segment 2: The Red Island – American Power (Tracie Ruiz-Conforto)
The music shifts—a heavy, synthesized drum beat echoes through the speakers. The blue fades, and a vibrant red light explodes on the opposite side of the pool where Tracie Ruiz is waiting.
Dick Enberg: "OH, MY! Look at that boost! Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, the legend from 1984, shows us why she is the most powerful athlete in the water! She’s out to her waist!"
Bryant Gumbel: "That’s the 'California Style,' Dick. It’s explosive. Those rapid-fire Barracudas... she’s moving so much water, yet her face remains perfectly calm. It’s pure, raw athletic power."
Segment 3: The Silver Island – Canadian Grace (Carolyn Waldo)
The drums soften into a haunting synth-violin. The red light vanishes, replaced by a shimmering silver beam that illuminates the Double Gold Medalist, Carolyn Waldo.
Candy Costie-Burke: "Here is the 'Waldo Reach.' Carolyn has a way of making the water look like it’s supporting her. Look at this Vertical Descending Spin... she is rotating so slowly, so perfectly. It’s like a statue of ice just vanishing into the depths."
Dick Enberg: "Grace personified. The Silver Queen of the North."
The Finale: The Trio Fusion
The music reaches its crescendo. The three separate islands of light—Red, Blue, and Silver—begin to drift toward the center of the pool, merging into one brilliant, blinding white beam.
Bryant Gumbel: "They’re meeting. The three greatest in the world. Look at that 'Triangle Pivot.' They are linked now—not as rivals, but as sisters."
Dick Enberg: "The Triple Crane! Rotating together... 360 degrees of perfect symmetry. And look at this finish... no splash, no ego. Just the 'Friendship Pose.' A hand on each other's shoulder... and into the deep they go."
Candy Costie-Burke: "That was the final somersault of the amateur era, Dick. A beautiful, slow-motion goodbye."
Act #3: Dick Enberg: "If Act II was a poem, Act III is a manifesto. We turn our attention now to the crimson powerhouse of the East. Bryant, the Soviet Union didn't take the gold in Seoul, but they left a chilling message: the future of this sport may very well be written in Cyrillic."
Bryant Gumbel: "It’s the 'Red Tide,' Dick. In the 1986 Lausanne Intercalated Games, the Soviets were criticized for being too cold, too mechanical. Tonight, they’ve leaned into that. They aren't trying to be your friend; they’re trying to be the Bolshoi Ballet in four feet of water."
Candy Costie-Burke: "Watch Khristina Falasinidi, the leader of this squad. Her flexibility is almost supernatural. And those suits—crimson velvet in the water? The drag alone should make this impossible, but they move through it like it’s air."
Act III: The Soviet Ballet – "The Red Tide"
1. The "Swan" Entry: Silent Submission
The Jamsil arena falls into a heavy, expectant silence. The lights shift to a harsh, cold white. The eight Soviet specialists march to the deck in a perfect lockstep, their matte gold caps gleaming like helmets.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the entry. No splash, no jump. They just... slide. Like silk. They’ve entered a full split on the surface and vanished into the vertical. Not a ripple, Bryant. Oh, my!"
2. The Geometric Machine: The Clockwork Split
The music—a heavy, industrial synth remix of Swan Lake—begins to throb through the arena floor. The eight swimmers emerge, forming two rigid lines of four.
Candy Costie-Burke: "Here it is. The 'Fanning Effect.' Look at the angles. 45 degrees, 90, 135... it’s a perfect deck of cards. This requires 'Base Strength' that most teams can’t even fathom. They aren't just synchronized; they are mathematically identical."
3. Underwater Ballet: The Dancing Toes
The heavy bass drops away, leaving only a haunting, solitary violin. The team vanishes beneath the surface. For 45 seconds, the only thing visible is the "Ankle Dance."
Bryant Gumbel: "Look at that. Just the feet. They’re 'dancing' on the surface of the water as if it were a stage. The precision of the toes—it’s exactly like point shoes at the Bolshoi. And they’ve been under for thirty seconds now... thirty-five... forty..."
4. The Highlight: The "Iron Curtain" Lift
The music swells into a thunderous orchestral finish. The underwater platform is formed with brutal efficiency.
Dick Enberg: "Here comes the launch! Chernyayeva is airborne! Look at the height! A full layout backflip! Touch 'em all! She didn't just jump; she flew!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "And look at the 'Sudden Death' sink. The moment she hits the water, the entire team vanishes. No celebration, no waving. Just the cold, golden caps disappearing into the red light. Chilling."
Act IV: Dick Enberg: "From the chilled precision of Moscow, we return to the warm, beating heart of Seoul. Act IV is a celebration of the 'Miracle on the Han River.' Bryant, this is the moment the host nation has been waiting for—a tribute to South Korea’s incredible journey from the 1982 Houston Intercalated Games to this very night."
Bryant Gumbel: "It’s a massive undertaking, Dick. All 112 swimmers are returning to the pool. This isn't just a routine; it’s an architectural feat. They are going to attempt to build a 'Human Bridge' across the width of the Jamsil pool. It’s symbolic of Korea connecting the East and the West."
Candy Costie-Burke: "The coordination here is the real miracle. To keep 112 women afloat in a single connected structure requires every person to be a perfect anchor. Watch the South Korean specialists—they are the 'piers' of this bridge."
Act IV: The Han River Miracle – "The Great Connection"
1. The Cast: The Global Network
The Piers: The 8 South Korean specialist swimmers, led by Ha Soo-kyung.
The Span: The remaining 104 swimmers from the other 17 nations.
The Look: The Koreans are in vibrant emerald green; the rest of the world is in shimmering white, representing the mist over the Han River.
2. The Vibe: "Rising Together"
Music: A soaring, orchestral version of "Arirang" fused with 1980s pop-rock anthems.
The Lighting: A brilliant green laser grid scans the surface of the water, creating the "blueprints" of a bridge that the swimmers must fill.
3. The Choreography: Building the Span
Dick Enberg: "Here come the Koreans! They’ve taken their positions in four pairs across the pool. They are the 'Pillars.' And look at the 104! They are swimming out in long, single-file lines. It’s like watching a city being built in fast-forward!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is the 'Interlocking Chain.' Each swimmer is hooking their feet under the armpits of the person behind them. Once they connect to the Korean 'Pillars,' they will attempt to lift the entire structure above the surface."
Bryant Gumbel: "They’ve made the connection! The bridge is complete from the north side to the south side of the pool. One hundred and twelve women, one single line!"
4. The Highlight: The "Suspension Rise"
The music reaches a triumphant crescendo.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the center! The 'Bridge' is rising! They are performing a collective 'Back Layout Power-Boost.' The middle of the line is arching out of the water! It’s a suspension bridge made of human bone and muscle! OH, MY!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "And look at the 'Traffic.' The 18 squad leaders, including Waldo and Ruiz, are actually swimming through the arches created by the bridge! It’s a literal flow of talent through the structure of unity."
Act 5: The Tropical Rhythm – "The Spirit of the Americas"
1. The Deck Dance: Carnival on Land
The arena lights turn a searing canary yellow. The Miami Sound Machine’s "Conga" explodes over the speakers.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the deck! The Carvalho twins... they aren't even in the water yet and they’ve already stolen the show! OH, MY! That hip-shake is perfectly in sync! It’s a Rio parade right here in Seoul!"
Bryant Gumbel: "Thirty seconds of high-intensity choreography on land. They’re building the energy... and there it is! The cannonball entry! They didn't slide in like the Soviets; they made a splash and they’re loving it!"
2. The Zig-Zag Travel: The Propeller Scull
Once in the water, the 10 swimmers from Mexico, Brazil, and Aruba link up in a high-speed formation.
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is 'The Propeller.' They are using a specialized sculling technique to move at a sprint. Look at the 180-degree turns on the fourth beat—sharp, snappy, and full of attitude. They are covering the whole 50 meters in seconds!"
3. The Percussion Kick: Dancing Feet
The music breaks into a heavy, tribal drum solo. The swimmers flip into a vertical-down position.
Dick Enberg: "They’ve vanished! But look at the legs! They’re 'clapping' with their feet! It’s a rhythmic percussion sequence. You can actually hear the slap of the feet against the water in time with the drums. It’s a drum kit made of human legs!"
4. The Highlight: The "Solar Flare" Boost
The Brazilian and Aruban teams converge in the center to form a massive underwater "Launchpad."
Bryant Gumbel: "Here come the Mexican powerhouses, Cárdeñas and Candini. They’re setting up for the big one."
Dick Enberg: "THE CATAPULT! Touch 'em all! A Twin Boost! They are out to their knees! Look at the 'Jazz Hands' at the peak! It’s like two solar flares erupting from the pool! The crowd is going wild!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "And look at that finish. The 'Daisy Chain' underwater... one by one they pop up... there’s Sonia... there’s Yvette... all blowing kisses. What a breath of fresh air!"
Act #6: The Waltz of the Blue Danube
1. The Entry: The "Raindrop" Descent
The lighting shifts to a deep, shimmering sapphire. The music—Strauss’s The Blue Danube—begins with its famous, delicate violin pluck.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the perimeter! The one hundred and twelve are standing around the entire edge of the pool. And instead of a dive, they are performing a 'Back-Float Slip.' One by one, like raindrops falling into a pond, they are sliding into the water. The ripples are overlapping in a perfect pattern. OH, MY!"
2. The Formation: The Triple Mandala
Once in the water, the swimmers divide into three concentric circles that fill the entire 50-meter pool.
The Outer Ring (60 Swimmers): They perform a "Back Layout," linking feet to form a massive, rotating wheel.
The Middle Ring (40 Swimmers): They perform "Tub" positions (knees to chest), rotating in the opposite direction.
The Inner Core (12 Leaders): Led by the Swiss and French specialists, they perform "Vertical Eggbeaters" with their arms raised in a balletic fifth position.
Bryant Gumbel: "Candy, it looks like a giant, liquid clockwork. The rings are counter-rotating. From the overhead camera, it’s a living Mandala. It’s mesmerizing."
Candy Costie-Burke: "Notice the 'Arm-Wave' passing through the outer ring. They are doing a 'Waltz-Ripple.' One swimmer raises an arm, then the next, timed perfectly to the 'One-Two-Three' of the music. It’s traveling around the circle like a pulse."
3. The Highlight: The "Crystalline Bloom"
The music builds toward its famous crescendo. The three rings suddenly collapse inward toward the center.
Dick Enberg: "They’re converging! The one hundred and twelve are becoming one single mass. Here it comes... The Bloom!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "Watch the center! The inner twelve are being pushed upward by the hundred below them. It’s a 'Centennial Lift.' Twelve women are being raised entirely out of the water, sitting on a platform of eighty hands. They are opening their arms like the petals of a flower!"
4. The Finale: The Blue Sink
As the final notes of the waltz fade into a soft, echoing piano, the 112 swimmers perform a "Synchronized Submergence."
Act #7: Twin-Chronicity II
– "The Mirror Image Suite"
1. The Mirror Entry: The Optical Illusion
The Jamsil pool is bathed in a minimalist, pulsing violet light. The Art of Noise’s "Moments in Love" begins to breathe through the speakers.
Dick Enberg: "Look at the deck. Sarah and Karen Josephson on the North side, Penny and Vicky Vilagos on the South. They’re walking toward each other... it’s like a person walking toward a mirror. OH, MY! They hit the water together! Not a millisecond of difference. That’s not training; that’s DNA!"
2. The "Shadow" Sequence: The Four-Armed Goddess
In the center of the pool, the Josephson twins begin their signature "Shadow" work.
Candy Costie-Burke: "Look at the Josephsons. Sarah is directly behind Karen. From our angle in the booth, Dick, it looks like a single human being with four arms and four legs. It’s like a Hindu deity brought to life in the water. Every finger extension, every tilt of the chin—it’s identical."
3. The "Twin-Tornado": Horizontal Revolution
The Vilagos and Carvalho twins take the flanks, linking at the waist.
Bryant Gumbel: "They’ve formed two human tops! The 'Twin-Tornado.' They are spinning horizontally while their legs are doing those rapid-fire twists above the surface. The coordination required to keep that rotation stable while your partner is pulling against you is immense."
4. The Highlight: The "Telepathic" Blind-Fold
The music thins out to a steady, heartbeat-like synth pulse. The three pairs move back-to-back.
Dick Enberg: "Now watch this. This is the 'Gala Stunt.' They are back-to-back. They cannot see each other. They cannot even see their partner's splash. And yet... look at the Flamingos! Look at the Cranes!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "They are moving to an internal metronome. It’s as if they are tethered by an invisible string. To be that precise without a visual cue is the 'Holy Grail' of artistic swimming. They are perfectly synced to the millimeter. It’s breathtaking."
Act #8: The Oceanic Odyssey – "The Pacific Power"
1. The "Tidal" Entry: The Torpedo Glide
The stadium lights shift to a vibrant turquoise and gold. The infectious, driving guitar riff of INXS’s "New Sensation" kicks in, punctuated by the haunting drone of a didgeridoo.
Dick Enberg: "Look at them go! A running start! They aren't just entering the water; they are attacking it! OH, MY! Look at that glide! They are halfway across the pool on a single breath! It’s like watching a group of torpedoes!"
2. The "Cyclone" Spin: The Human Whirlpool
The Australian cluster meets in the center of the pool, their legs becoming a blur of motion.
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is the 'Cyclone.' They are using a high-speed flutter kick to actually pull the surface water down with them. You can see the vortex forming! That requires incredible core strength to stay vertical while the water is trying to spin you out of control."
3. The Deep-Water Hold: The Floor Walk
While the Australians churn the surface, the cameras cut to a wide, underwater shot of the pool's floor.
Bryant Gumbel: "Look at the bottom of the pool! That’s Katie Sadleir. She’s five meters down, Dick! She’s performing a 'Slow-Motion Run' along the tiles. The pressure at that depth is immense, yet she looks like she’s walking through a meadow. Absolutely stunning imagery."
4. The Highlight: The "Great Barrier Reef" Lift
The eight members of the surf ensemble dive deep to create a massive, stable foundation.
Dick Enberg: "Here comes the 'Reef'! Steanes and Rankin are being hoisted up... but look at the position! They aren't standing; they’re 'surfing'! Horizontal flying! They look like they’re catching a massive wave right in the middle of Seoul!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "The stability of that base is incredible. To hold two athletes horizontally requires a perfectly leveled 'human table' underneath. It’s the ultimate tribute to the Pacific surf culture."
The Finale: The music hits the final crescendo of the guitar solo.
Dick Enberg: "The Power Barracuda! Touch 'em all! Nine swimmers exploding upward! And the 'Radial Splash' to finish—it’s a starburst of Pacific gold! What a ride!"
Act #9: The Asian Artistry – "The Spirit of Seoul"
1. The "Lotus" Bloom: Floating Meditation
The stadium lights soften into a warm, pearlescent white. The delicate plucking of the Kayagum begins, soon joined by a deep, resonant 80s bassline.
Dick Enberg: "There they are. Kim Mi-jinsu and Ha Soo-kyung. The pride of Seoul. Look at the stillness, Candy. Only their hands are moving, creating these perfect, concentric ripples. It’s like a lotus flower opening in slow motion."
2. The "Crane" Transition: The Three Spokes
The Japanese and Chinese duos emerge from the shadows, linking with the Koreans to form a rotating wheel of six.
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is the 'Crane' sequence. See the 'Hold.' They aren't rushing. They are showing us the perfect vertical line of the leg. In the 1986 Lausanne Games, this was what the Asian specialists were praised for—the ability to be completely still in a high-gravity position."
3. The Silent Submergence: The Bubble Fan Dance
The music drops to a low, vibrating hum. All six specialists vanish beneath the surface.
Bryant Gumbel: "They’re gone, but look at the surface! They are using their hands underwater to push air upward. Those bubbles... they’re forming the shape of a cherry blossom! It’s an underwater fan dance, and the audience here is absolutely transfixed. Thirty seconds underwater, and the precision hasn't wavered."
4. The Highlight: The "Great Wall" Roll
The six swimmers link feet-to-shoulders, creating a rigid, 12-meter line of white and crimson.
Dick Enberg: "OH, MY! The 'Great Wall'! They are rolling as one single unit! A 360-degree horizontal rotation. To keep a line of six people that straight while rolling through the water requires inhuman core strength. It looks like a single white pearl rolling across a blue table!"
The Finale: The Japanese and Chinese athletes form a base, hoisting the two South Koreans high above the water.
Bryant Gumbel: "The 'Double Throne.' And listen to that crowd! Ha Soo-kyung and Kim Mi-jinsu... they’re giving the traditional greeting."
Ha Soo-kyung & Kim Mi-jinsu (into the pool-side mics): "Kamsahamnida!"
Dick Enberg: "A 'Thank You' that literally shook the rafters! The stadium is erupting! What a beautiful tribute to the spirit of these Games."
Act #10: The Universal Finale - Hand In Hand
Part 1: The Full Body Portion – "The Global Embrace"
Squad Leaders: Carolyn Waldo (CAN) and Tracie Ruiz-Conforto (USA).
Music: Hand in Hand by Koreana (The Official 1988 Olympic Theme).
Dick Enberg: "The music starts... that iconic melody! And look at the leaders! Waldo and Ruiz, leading the 112-person 'V-Formation' into the water. They are linked, arm-in-arm, swimming toward the center of the pool."
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is the 'Global Embrace.' All 112 swimmers are performing a synchronized breaststroke-pull, creating a massive heart shape that fills the entire pool. As the chorus hits—'Hand in hand, we stand'—they are literally reaching out and grasping the hands of the swimmer next to them, regardless of their nation."
Bryant Gumbel: "It’s a powerful image, Dick. The Americans, the Soviets, the French, the Koreans... all forming a single, golden chain of humanity. They are performing a collective 'Rocket Split' on the final note of the anthem, throwing 112 bouquets of flowers into the stands!"
Part 2: The Legs Only Portion – "The Piston Pulse"
Squad Leaders: Mikako Kotani (JPN) and Khristina Falasinidi (USSR).
Music: A high-octane, upbeat 1980s synth-remix of Final Countdown by Europe.
Dick Enberg: "The lights go red and blue! The tempo just tripled! OH, MY! The 112 have flipped! They’ve vanished beneath the surface, and now it’s all about the power below!"
Candy Costie-Burke: "This is a tribute to the 'Legs Only' discipline that became a permanent medal event here in Seoul. Leading the charge are Kotani and Falasinidi—the two greatest 'Technical' specialists in the world. Look at the 'Piston Pulse'! 224 legs performing a rapid-fire vertical thrust in time with the synth-drums!"
Bryant Gumbel: "It’s a machine! It looks like a massive, churning engine in the water. The synchronization is impossible! How do 112 people keep that cadence without seeing the surface?"
The Finale: The "Legs Only" Goodbye Wave
Squad Leaders: All 18 National Captains.
Dick Enberg: "The music is fading... the drums are slowing down. The 112 swimmers have formed eight straight lines of fourteen. They are in a deep vertical hold."
Candy Costie-Burke: "Here it is. The 'Goodbye Wave.' This is the signature of the 1988 specialist class. Watch their ankles."
Dick Enberg: "Look at that! From the left side of the pool to the right... a 'Wave' of leg-wiggles! One after another, 112 sets of feet are 'waving' goodbye to the audience! It’s traveling across the pool like a ripple in a wheat field. Touch 'em all!"
Bryant Gumbel: "And the final sink... the leaders, Waldo, Ruiz, Kotani, and Falasinidi, are the last ones visible. They blow a kiss with their toes—a 'Foot Kiss'—and vanish. The pool is still. The 1988 era is over."
THE SQUAD LEADERS IN REVIEW
Act 1: The Morning Calm (Opening) The Squad Leaders were the "Big Three" of the 1988 Games: Carolyn Waldo of Canada, Tracie Ruiz-Conforto of the USA, and Mikako Kotani of Japan. The Section Leaders consisted of the 18 National Captains, who were responsible for coordinating the first mass entry of all 112 swimmers.
Act 2: The Three Seasons (The Trio) The Squad Leaders were the individual icons: Mikako Kotani (Precision), Tracie Ruiz-Conforto (Power), and Carolyn Waldo (Grace). Because this was a focused trio performance, there were no additional section leaders.
Act 3: The Soviet Ballet (The Red Tide) The Squad Leaders were the top Soviet pair, Khristina Falasinidi and Mariya Chernyayeva. The Section Leaders were the remaining members of the Soviet National Team (The "Red 8"), who maintained the rigid geometric formations.
Act 4: The Han River Miracle (The Bridge) The Squad Leaders were the hometown favorites, Ha Soo-kyung and Kim Mi-jinsu. The Section Leaders were the South Korean Specialist Unit, who acted as the "Pillars" to hold the 112-person bridge in place.
Act 5: The Tropical Rhythm (Spirit of the Americas) The Squad Leaders were Sonia Cárdeñas of Mexico and the Carvalho Twins of Brazil. The Section Leaders were Yvette Thuis and Roswitha Lopez of Aruba, who coordinated the high-speed "Sync-Pop" transitions.
Act 6: The Waltz of the Blue Danube (Classical) The Squad Leaders were Muriel Hermine of France and Karin Singer of Switzerland. The Section Leaders were the European "Classical" Bloc, featuring captains from Austria and Belgium, who managed the rotating 112-person Mandala.
Act 7: Twin-Chronicity (The Mirror) The Squad Leaders were the "Silver Twins," Sarah and Karen Josephson of the USA. The Section Leaders were the Vilagos Twins of Canada and the Carvalho Twins of Brazil, managing the psychic-sync "blind" sequences.
Act 8: The Oceanic Odyssey (The Pacific) The Squad Leaders were the Australian duo of Lisa Steanes and Donna Rankin. The Section Leaders were Katie Sadleir of New Zealand and the Australian Surf Ensemble, who managed the deep-water floor walks.
Act 9: The Asian Artistry (Zen and Fluidity) The Squad Leaders were Mikako Kotani of Japan and Ha Soo-kyung of South Korea. The Section Leaders were the Chinese duo of Tan Min and Luo Xi, who anchored the "Great Wall" rolling formation.
Act 10: The Universal Finale (Hand in Hand / Final Countdown) For Part 1 (Full Body), the Squad Leaders were Carolyn Waldo and Tracie Ruiz-Conforto. For Part 2 (Legs Only), the leadership shifted to Mikako Kotani and Khristina Falasinidi. The Section Leaders for the final "Goodbye Wave" were all 18 National Captains, signaling the 112 swimmers across the entire length of the pool.
Now It's On to 1992 in Barcelona
Thanks to success of a New TV Deal with NBC and CBS to broadcast Major League Baseball, NBC also secured the rights to broadcast the Summer Olympic Games since 1992
However NBC got the Triplecasts to Broadcast Artistic Swimming Coverage with the Solo Competition and the Duet Prelims but the Duet Finals, Team Regular and Team Legs Only aired on the Main NBC Network.
Here Are The Rosters
Canada: Sylvie Frechette, Penny Vilagos, Vicky Vilagos, Janice Bremner, Karen CLark, Christine Larsen, Cari Read, Erin Woodley
China: Tan Min, Guan Zewen, Wang Xiaojie, Lui Xi, Li Min, Jin Na, Fu Yuxiang, Li Yuanyuan
France: Anne Capron, Marianne Aeschbacher, Karine Schuler, Celine Leveque, Myriam Lignot, Isabelle Talbot, Delphine Marechal, Magali Rathier
Great Britain: Kerry Shacklock, Laila Vakkil, Natasha Haynes, Lianne Jeymes, Sarah Nordem, Siobhan Goodchild, Victoria Moore, Helen Elkington
Mexico: Sonia Cardenas, Lourdes Olivera, Elizabeth Cervantes, Maria Elena Giusti, ERika Leal, Bertha Villalobos, Laura Acosta, Perla Ramirez
Japan: Fumiko Okuno, Aki Takayama, Mikako Kotani, Rei Jimbo, Miya Tachibana, Kaori Takahashi, Raika Fujii, Junko Tanaka
Unified Team: Olga Sedakova, Anna Kozlova, Yelena Dolzhenko, Yelena Azarova, Olga Brusnikina, Maria Kisseleva, Gana Maximova, Natalia Gruzdeva
USA: Kristen Babb-Sprague, Karen Josephson, Sarah Josephson, Becky Dyroen-Lancer, Tammy Cleland, Jill Savery, Heather Simmons-Carrasco, Nathalie Schneyder
Total is at 120
However on August 6, 1992: The Final Team Regular Competition took place before it was replaced the Team Technical and Team Free Competitions when we head to Atlanta in 1996
Team Regular Highlights and Results
1. The Entrance: Team USA "The Dream Team on Water"
Visual: The 8 American women march to the edge of the Piscines Bernat Picornell in shimmering stars-and-stripes suits.
Key Moment: The "Deck Work." Before hitting the water, they perform 30 seconds of high-energy, rhythmic movements that Bob Costas calls "perfectly calibrated."
The Text Overlay: > USA STRATEGY: Focus on "The Tower" – a triple-level lift designed to reach record height.
2. The Opening Salvo: Japan’s "Techno-Sync"
Visual: A dizzying array of arms moving at double-speed to futuristic electronic beats.
Key Moment: The "Eggbeater Spin." All 8 swimmers rotate 360 degrees while keeping their shoulders completely dry.
The Text Overlay: > JUDGES' NOTE: Japan receives 9.9 for Synchronization. Speed remains their greatest weapon.
3. The Cinematic Peak: Canada’s "Northern Lights"
Visual: A slower, more graceful routine set to haunting orchestral music.
Key Moment: Sylvie Fréchette leads the team into a "Circle Bloom" formation where they all submerge at different intervals to create a ripple effect.
The Text Overlay: > ARTISTIC IMPRESSION: Canada leads the field in Choreography. Score: 98.40.
4. The Grand Finale: USA’s "American Dream" Medley
Visual: The music shifts from a soft piano to a thundering Hollywood brass section.
Key Moment: THE BIG LIFT. Six swimmers form a base, propelling Kristen Babb-Sprague and the Josephson Twins into a coordinated aerial layout. Kristen reaches a peak height of nearly 6 feet above the surface.
SCORES AFTER TEAM REGULAR
1. USA - 98.800
2. Canada - 98.700
3. Japan - 97.500
4. Unified Team - 96.200
5. France - 94.700
6. China - 94.500
7. Great Britain - 92.800
8. Mexico - 92.500
TEAM LEGS ONLY
This event is judged almost entirely on Technical Merit and Verticality. If a team’s hips drop below the surface, the score plummets.
ROUTINE HIGHLIGHTS
Japan: The Rapid Bicycle - The underwater camera shows their legs moving so fast they create a literal whirlpool.
Unified Team: The Iron Cross - All 16 legs lock together in a geometric pattern, held perfectly still for 10 seconds.
Canada: The Slow-Motion Split - Sylvie Fréchette leads a breathtakingly slow, synchronized 180-degree split underwater.
USA: The Rocket Launch - The Big Moment: 6 swimmers propel the Josephson Twins into a "double-tower" where their legs reach nearly 4 feet out of the water without any arm support.
THE FINAL RESULT
1. USA - 98.920 (197.720 - Gold)
2. Canada - 98.880 (197.580 - Silver)
3. Japan - 98.100 (195.600 - Bronze)
4. Unified Team - 97.400 (193.600)
5. China - 96.300 (190.800)
6. France - 95.100 (189.800)
7. Mexico - 93.500 (186.000
8. Great Britain - 92.600 (185.400)
Act #1: Barcelona '92
Music: "Barcelona" by Freddie Mercury
The Entrance: The Cape Parade
Instead of a small group, a massive sea of 120 athletes emerges.
The Look: Every athlete—from the Solo specialists to the 8-woman squads—wears the vibrant red and gold capes.
The Section Leaders: Taking their places at the head of the four corners of the pool are the leaders of the 8 finalist nations (USA, Canada, Japan, Unified Team, France, China, Mexico, and Great Britain).
✨ The High-Dive Launch: The Squad Leaders
The Visual: While the 118 swimmers line the deck, the spotlight moves to the 10m platform.
The Moment: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) and Sylvie Fréchette (Canada) stand as the ultimate "Squad Leaders." As the recording of Montserrat Caballé’s soprano voice enters, they dive.
The Cascade: As soon as the two leaders hit the water, all 118 swimmers on the deck perform a "domino dive," entering the pool in a continuous splash that circles the entire perimeter.
✨ The Formation: The Great Mediterranean Sun
The Action: All 120 swimmers converge in the center. Because of the massive number of athletes, they don't just form one sun—they form three concentric rings around Kristen and Sylvie.
The "Sequential Flare":
Inner Ring: The Solo and Duet specialists (the Triplecast stars) pop up first.
Middle Ring: The "Team Regular" squads pop up second.
Outer Ring: The "Legs Only" specialists perform a massive vertical boost, showing incredible height.
The Result: From the overhead camera, it looks like a blooming flower or a pulsing sun, radiating from the center to the edges of the pool.
The Field Generals
Center (Solo): Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Ring #1 (Duet): Karen & Sarah Josephson (USA) & Penny & Vicky Vilagos (Canada)
Ring #2 (Team): Fumiko Okuno (Japan), Olga Sedakova (Unified Team)
Ring #3 (Legs): Becky Dyroen-Lancer (USA) & Anne Capron (France)
Act #2: Twin-Chronicity III
Music: "Conquest of Paradise" by Vangelis
1. The Mirror Entry: The Barcelona Mirage
The Piscines Bernat Picornell is plunged into a deep emerald and sapphire light. The haunting choral chant of Vangelis begins.
AL TRAUTWIG: "Four years ago in Seoul, we called it 'Twin-Chronicity II.' Tonight, in the shadow of the Sagrada Família, the sequel is even more prestigious. Look at the pool deck—this is the 'Mirror Entry'."
The Action: From the North deck, Karen and Sarah Josephson (USA) march out. From the South deck, Penny and Vicky Vilagos (Canada) march out.
The Visual: They walk toward each other on the narrow edge of the pool. As they pass the Section Leaders, they don't look at the crowd; they only look at their own twin.
The Splash: Just as the music swells, all four hit the water with a "Single-Entry" splash.
BOB COSTAS: "Unbelievable. Two countries, two sets of identical twins, one single sound as they enter the water. It’s like watching a film reel played over itself."
2. The "Diamond Shadow": The Eight-Limbed Spectacle
In the center of the pool, the four women link up.
TRACIE CONFORTO: "In Seoul, we saw the 'Four-Armed Goddess.' Tonight, they’ve doubled the difficulty. Look at the 'Diamond Shadow.' The Josephsons are in the lead, with the Vilagos twins tucked directly behind them. From our high-angle camera, folks, you aren't seeing four people. You are seeing one single diamond-shaped entity with eight arms and eight legs."
The Action: They perform a series of slow-motion "Arm Blossoms" where the arms emerge from behind the lead swimmer (Karen) like a blooming lotus, perfectly timed to the Vangelis beat.
3. The "Twin-Tornado II": The Vertical Revolution
The twins separate into their pairs but stay within inches of each other.
AL TRAUTWIG: "Here it is—the 'Twin-Tornado.' They’ve taken the horizontal spin from '88 and turned it vertical!"
The Action: The Josephsons and Vilagos twins perform a "Vertical Screw." They are upside down, legs perfectly straight, spinning at a blurring speed.
The Visual: Because they are identical twins, the "visual blur" makes it impossible to tell where one sister ends and the other begins. It looks like two shimmering silver drills boring into the water.
4. The Highlight: The "Telepathic" Blind-Dive
The music drops to a low, humming synth.
BOB COSTAS: "Now, the 'Holy Grail' of the sport. The 'Telepathic' sequence. Tracie, explain what we’re seeing."
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Bob, they are back-to-back, facing away from the center. They cannot see the other pair, and they cannot see their own twin. They are relying entirely on the vibration of the music through the water and that 'twin-instinct.' Look at the 'Flamingo' leg extensions... they are moving to the same internal heartbeat. It’s not just training; it’s a biological miracle."
Act #3: The Titanium Vertical: Power in Numbers
Music: "Chariots of Fire" by Vangelis (Studio Recording)
1. The Submerged Entry: The "Hidden" Army
The violet and emerald lights of Act #2 fade into a stark, powerful Electric Blue.
BOB COSTAS: "We’ve seen the grace of the twins. Now, we see the grit. Sixty-four women—the top eight teams in the world—are already in the pool, submerged and invisible. For the next ninety seconds, you will not see a single face. This is the 'Titanium Vertical'."
The Visual: The pool surface is perfectly still. Suddenly, on the first heavy beat of the synthesizer, 64 pairs of legs explode from the water simultaneously in a perfect vertical line.
2. The "Piston" Sequence: Industrial Precision
AL TRAUTWIG: "Look at the 'Piston' movement, Tracie! It’s like an engine firing on all cylinders. Sixty-four athletes, and not one knee is out of alignment."
The Action: The swimmers perform a "Machine-Gun Leg" sequence. They rapidly alternate leg heights—one leg high, one leg low—in a rhythmic pattern that mimics the pistons of a high-performance car.
Section Leaders: The Americans (Becky Dyroen-Lancer) and the Japanese (Fumiko Okuno) lead the two main flanks, keeping the 8-team grid in perfect geometric formation.
3. The "Legs Only" Kaleidoscope
TRACIE CONFORTO: "This is the highlight of the technical world, Bob. The 'Kaleidoscope.' They’ve linked feet underwater. They are moving as one giant organism now."
The Action: The 64 swimmers form a massive, interlocked grid. While their faces remain underwater, their legs perform a series of "Fan Kicks" and "Split-Rotations."
The Visual: From the NBC overhead "Blimp Cam," the pool looks like a shifting, blue-and-silver geometric tapestry. It’s the ultimate "Legs Only" showcase, proving why this event was a hit on the Friday night broadcast.
4. The Highlight: The "Oxygen Deficit" Launch
As the Vangelis score reaches its crescendo, the music slows for a dramatic pause.
BOB COSTAS: "They’ve been under for nearly two minutes now. The lungs are screaming. But watch the center of the pool. Here comes the 'Titanium' finish!"
The Moment: In one final, massive burst of energy, the 64 swimmers transition from a "Legs Only" position into a Global Lift.
The Result: The middle of the formation collapses inward to propel the Section Leaders from all 8 nations high into the air. They emerge from the water spinning, finally showing their faces to the crowd for a triumphant, gasping finish.
Act #4: The Golden Reunion: A Shadow Duo
BGM: An Orchestral Version of "The Wind Beneath My Wings" originally by Bette Midler
1. The Entrance: From the Shadows
The "Titanium" blue lights fade into a soft, warm Golden Amber. The pool is perfectly still.
BOB COSTAS: "It began as a mistake—a single keystroke that sparked an international debate. On the Triplecast earlier this week, we saw the heartbreak and the triumph of the Solo competition. Tonight, the score is settled. For the first time ever, these two champions share more than just a podium; they share the water."
The Action: Sylvie Fréchette (Canada) and Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) appear on opposite sides of the pool. They don't look at the crowd; they look only at each other. They slide into the water silently, meeting in the exact center.
2. The "Shadow Duo" Routine
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Look at the proximity, Al. They are swimming inches apart. In a Solo, you own the pool. Here, they are surrendering their space to one another to create a single silhouette."
The Visual: As the music swells, the two Gold Medalists perform a series of mirrored strokes. When Kristen reaches up, Sylvie’s arm follows in a perfect ghost-image.
The "Eclipse" Formation: At one point, Kristen swims directly beneath Sylvie. From the overhead NBC camera, their bodies align so perfectly that they appear as one single, eight-limbed swimmer—a "Shadow" of the other.
3. The Climax: The Golden Hand-Off
The music reaches its emotional peak. The two swimmers move toward the edge of the pool deck where their respective coaches are waiting.
AL TRAUTWIG: "The coaches are stepping forward... this wasn't in the rehearsal!"
The Action: The coaches lean down and hand both women their Olympic Gold Medals.
The Moment: Still in the water, treading with effortless power, Kristen and Sylvie move back to the center of the pool. They lock arms, and with their free hands, they raise their gold medals high into the Barcelona night air.
Act 5: "The Flamenco Solo Suite: The Soul of Spain
Music: "Entre dos Aguas" (Recorded Studio Version) – Paco de Lucía
1. The Entrance: The Rose and the Water
The golden amber lights of the previous act snap into a vibrant, blood-red glow. The crowd recognizes the first chords of the Spanish guitar and erupts.
BOB COSTAS: "We turn now to the heart of our host city. If the previous act was about grace, this is about passion. Leading this tribute is Spain’s own Eva López, joined by the technical masters from Japan and France."
The Action: Eva López (Spain), Fumiko Okuno (Japan), and Anne Capron (France) stand on the edge of the pool. They aren't wearing traditional sequins—their suits are matte black with bold red ruffles, mimicking a flamenco dress.
2. The "Water Stomp" (The Compás)
AL TRAUTWIG: "Listen to that... it’s not the music. It’s the athletes!"
The Move: The three soloists plunge into the water and immediately form a triangle. Instead of swimming, they lift their torsos high and use their palms to slap the surface of the water in a rhythmic 12-beat compás.
The Sound: The sharp thwack-thwack-clap of the water echoes off the stone walls of Montjuïc. It sounds like a dancer’s heels on a wooden floor.
3. The "Liquid Fan" Sequence
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Look at the hand-work, Bob. In flamenco, the 'Abanico' or fan is essential. Here, they are using their fingers to create water-fans."
The Visual: As the guitar solo speeds up, the three soloists perform rapid-fire "Finger-Flicks" just above the surface, sending sprays of water into the air that look like shimmering lace fans. Their movements are sharp, staccato, and perfectly in time with Paco de Lucía’s shredding guitar.
4. The Climax: The Flamenco Spin
The music reaches a dizzying crescendo.
AL TRAUTWIG: "A vertical rotation! Eva López is leading a triple-corkscrew!"
The Moment: The three women dive deep and explode upward into a vertical spin. As they rotate, they cross their arms over their chests in a traditional flamenco pose.
The Finish: They disappear into the water on the final chord, leaving nothing but a swirl of red and black foam on the surface.
Act #6: The Global Web: Interwoven Nations
BGM: "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)" by Enya
1. The "Human Chain" Entrance
The stadium’s red Flamenco lights fade into a soft, pulsing Turquoise and Silver.
BOB COSTAS: "We return to the full assembly. One hundred and twenty women from twenty-two nations. They spent the last two acts preparing underwater, and now, they emerge not as rivals, but as a single, interwoven chain."
The Action: The swimmers do not pop up; they surface slowly in four long lines of 30, each athlete holding the waist of the person in front of them.
The Visual: They look like four massive "Water Serpents" gliding through the pool, snaking between one another without ever breaking the line.
2. The "Centrifuse" (The 120-Person Wheel)
AL TRAUTWIG: "Look at the center of the pool, Tracie. They’re locking in. This is the 'Centrifuse'—the largest rotating circle ever attempted in Olympic history."
The Move: The four lines meet in the center and interlock arms.
The Shape: They form a massive, 120-person "Spider Web" that covers nearly the entire surface of the Olympic pool.
The Rotation: Using only their "eggbeater" kick, the entire formation begins to rotate slowly. The outer ring of swimmers has to kick at triple speed to keep up with the inner core.
3. The "Pulse" Sequence
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Watch the heads, Bob. This is a breathing exercise as much as a swimming one. It’s called 'The Pulse'."
The Action: As Enya sings "Sail away, sail away," the swimmers submerge and surface in a "Wave" pattern.
The Effect: It starts at the very center with Kristen Babb-Sprague and Sylvie Fréchette, then ripples outward through the rings of Duet and Team swimmers to the outer edge. From the NBC Blimp, it looks like a giant heart beating in the middle of the stadium.
4. The Climax: The "Global Blossom"
AL TRAUTWIG: "Here it comes... the release!"
The Moment: On the final swell of the music, the "Web" suddenly detaches. All 120 swimmers flip backward simultaneously into a "Back-Layout" position, facing the sky.
The Visual: They drift away from the center like seeds from a dandelion, filling every inch of the pool’s surface until the water is completely hidden by the colorful suits of the athletes.
Act #7: The Iron Lattice: A Unified Legacy
BGM: "The Waltz of Flowers" by Tchaikovsky
1. The Entrance: The "Regimental" March
The pool is lit in a cold, Stark White with sharp silver spotlights.
BOB COSTAS: "We’ve seen the world come together, but now we focus on a team in transition. They are the Unified Team—athletes without a national anthem of their own, but with a tradition of excellence that dates back decades. This is the 'Iron Lattice'."
The Action: The 8 members of the Unified Team squad enter the deck with a military-style high-step. They don't smile; they possess a focused, statuesque intensity.
2. The "Architecture" Sequence
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Look at the rigidity, Al. Most teams try to look fluid. The Unified Team wants to look like they are made of steel. This is the 'Lattice'—a series of interlocking limbs that look like a crane structure."
The Move: In the water, the 8 swimmers lock legs and arms to create a floating bridge. They lift their entire torsos out of the water simultaneously, moving with a "snap" that matches the staccato notes of the Tchaikovsky waltz.
3. The "Legs Only" Masterclass
AL TRAUTWIG: "We saw them in the Friday night 'Legs Only' finals, but look at this variation. They are performing the 'Double-Vertical'—each swimmer is supporting another's weight using only their core."
The Action: Four swimmers act as the "base," submerged, while the other four stand on their shoulders, extending their legs high into the air.
The Visual: They rotate as a single, four-pillared tower. It is the highest level of "Legs Only" difficulty seen in the entire Gala.
4. The Climax: The "Unfolding Rose"
As the waltz reaches its famous crescendo, the rigid "Lattice" finally softens into a classic balletic formation.
BOB COSTAS: "The transition from iron to velvet. This is the 'Unfolding Rose'."
The Moment: The 8 swimmers form a tight circle, then peel away one by one in a series of back-flips, creating a blooming effect on the surface of the water.
The Finish: They end in a circle, arms raised, looking up at the Barcelona sky as the final note rings out.
Act #8: T"The Eternal Pair: A Global Farewell to the Duet"
BGM: "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers (Orchestral Version)
1. The Entrance: The Avenue of Pairs
The pool is bathed in a shimmering violet and silver.
BOB COSTAS: "As we prepare to say goodbye to the Duet event in the Olympic program, we don't just salute the medalists. We salute the discipline itself. Eighteen duets—thirty-six athletes from every corner of the globe—have formed an 'Avenue of Pairs' on the deck. From the powerhouses of North America to the emerging programs in Africa and the South Pacific."
The Visual: 18 pairs of swimmers stand in two perfect lines facing each other across the water.
Squad Leaders: The Josephson Twins (USA) and The Vilagos Twins (CAN) stand at the very end of the line, closest to the 10m platform.
2. The "Mirror Carousel" (36-Swimmer Expansion)
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Look at the geometry, Al. With eighteen duets in the water, they’ve formed two concentric circles. The inner circle is rotating clockwise, the outer counter-clockwise. It’s like a giant music box."
The Action: The 36 swimmers perform a synchronized "Back-Layout" where they all link feet in the center.
The Visual: From the NBC Blimp, it looks like a massive, 36-spoke silver wheel spinning slowly to the soulful vocals of Bobby Hatfield.
3. The "Unchained" Salute
AL TRAUTWIG: "Every pair is doing something different, yet they are all in time. It’s a medley of styles—the sharp Japanese technique, the fluid French grace, the raw power of the Americans."
The Action: As the song builds to its crescendo ("Wait for me..."), each of the 18 duets performs their own signature "Lift."
The Result: 18 flyers are propelled out of the water simultaneously across the entire surface of the pool. It is a chaotic, beautiful explosion of athleticism.
4. The Climax: The Final 18-Arch Bridge
The music swells for the final time.
BOB COSTAS: "This is the image to remember. Eighteen pairs, one bond."
The Moment: The 18 duets form one long line. Each pair performs a "Mirror Arch," touching hands with their partner.
The Finish: They don't dive; they slowly sink into the water while maintaining their "Mirror" poses, leaving the surface perfectly still as the music fades into silence.
Act #9: The Acrobatic Preview: Soloists United
BGM: The Final Countdown by Europe
1. The Entrance: The Power of One x 22
The stadium lights turn into flickering, high-intensity White Strobes.
BOB COSTAS: "We’ve seen these women as individuals, rivals fighting for every tenth of a point on the Triplecast. But tonight, the 22 Soloists of the Barcelona Games have joined forces. They are the 'Power Base' for a preview of the high-flying Team era."
The Action: The 22 Soloists from all 22 nations march onto the deck. Instead of the grace of their solo routines, they are wearing focused, athletic expressions. They dive in unison and form a tight, underwater "Circular Platform."
2. The Highlight: The "Solo-Sling" Launch
TRACIE CONFORTO: "Look at that base! You have the combined leg power of the 22 strongest soloists in the world beneath the surface. They are creating a literal human trampoline."
The Move: The 22 Soloists submerge, locking arms and shoulders to create a "Push-Plate."
The Launch: Kristen Babb-Sprague and Sylvie Fréchette (the Squad Leaders) are positioned on top of this 22-person mass.
The Result: On the heavy drum beat of the chorus, the 22 Soloists execute a massive "Power Thrust." Kristen and Sylvie are launched nearly 10 feet into the air, performing a synchronized "Layout-to-Twist" before entering the water.
Act #10: The Barcelona Farewell
Part 1: The Full-Body Anthem
Soundtrack: "Friends Will Be Friends" (Queen – Studio Version)
Choreography: Full Body. Athletes were visible from the waist up, focusing on powerful arm movements and communal "Chain Link" circles.
Part 2: The Technical Descent
Soundtrack: "Rendez-vous IV" (Jean-Michel Jarre – Live from Lyon Version)
Choreography: Legs Only. The moment the synth-brass melody of Rendez-vous IV kicked in, all 120 athletes inverted. The finale was a display of pure lower-body strength.
The Goodbye Wave: A rhythmic, cascading leg flutter performed in concentric circles while sinking vertically.
1. The Squad Leaders (Center Diamond)
These two led every phase of Act #10, positioned at the heart of the pool.
Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA): The 1992 Solo Gold Medalist.
Sylvie Fréchette (Canada): The 1992 Solo Gold Medalist (Co-champion).
2. The Section Leaders (The Eight Compass Points)
These leaders were responsible for the synchronization of their respective 14-person "sectors."
Karen Josephson (USA) – North Section
Sarah Josephson (USA) – South Section
Fumiko Okuno (Japan) – East Section
Aki Yamanaka (Japan) – West Section
Carolyn Waldo (Canada) – Northeast Section
Madoka Chen (Japan) – Southeast Section
Olga Sedakova (Unified Team) – Northwest Section
Khristina Thalassinidou (Greece) – Southwest Section
The Squad Leaders in Each Act
Act #1: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Section Leaders: All 8 Team Captains
Act #2: Karen & Sarah Josephson (USA)
Section Leaders: Penny & Vicky Villagos (Canada)
Act #3: Becky Dyroen-Lancer
Section Leaders: Fumiko Okuno (Japan) & Olga Sedakova (Unified Team)
Act #4: Sylvie Frechette (Canada) & Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA)
Section Leaders: NONE
Act #5: Eva Lopez (Spain)
Section Leaders: Anne Capron (France) & Fumiko Okuno (Japan)
Act #6: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Section Leaders: All 22 National Soloists
Act #7: Olga Sedakova (Unified Team)
Section Leaders: The Remaining Members of the Unified Team
Act #8: Karen & Sarah Josephson (USA)
Section Leaders: The 17 other Duets
Act #9: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Section Leaders: All 22 National Soloists
Act #10-P1: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Section Leaders: Karen & Sarah Josephson (USA) & Penny & Vicky Villagos (Canada)
Act #10-P2: Kristen Babb-Sprague (USA) & Sylvie Frechette (Canada)
Section Leaders: Becky Dyroen-Lancer (USA) & Fumiko Okuno (Japan)
Up Next: The 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta
No comments:
Post a Comment