The Summer Olympics Exhibition Gala on Artistic Swimming (Part 3 - January 24, 2026)
Part 3: The Games Only Competed for Team USA in Artistic Swimming is Duet
London 2012 shifted the "Hydro-Tech" era into a new phase. The London Aquatics Centre, designed by Zaha Hadid, was a cathedral of sweeping curves and white light. The atmosphere was no longer the digital neon of Beijing; it was clinical, sleek, and hyper-modern.
The 102 swimmers arrived in London for a competition that emphasized "The Human Edge"—maximal speed and extreme flexibility.
Duet Technical Routine: "The Sherlock Precision"
Date: August 5, 2012
In the Technical round, the "Required Elements" (the "Flying Fish," the "Spinning 180," and the "Split-Impact") had to be performed with the cold precision of a Swiss watch.
Russia: "The Dolls" (Natalia Ishchenko & Svetlana Romashina) They performed to a haunting, mechanical music box theme. They didn't look like humans; they looked like porcelain figurines moving in perfect unisons.
The Mark: 98.200. They were untouchable.
China: "The Kung Fu Flow" (Huang Xuechen & Liu Ou) China replaced the Jiang twins with a pair that focused on brute vertical power. Their "Barracuda" thrusts were so high their waists cleared the water.
The Mark: 96.100.
Spain: "The Tango of Fire" (Ona Carbonell & Andrea Fuentes) Spain had a new leader in Ona Carbonell. Their routine was about "The Connection"—they stayed within centimeters of each other for the entire 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
The Mark: 96.000. (A razor-thin margin behind China).
Russia: "The Jungle Spirits"
Ishchenko and Romashina wore suits covered in scales. Their "Free" routine was famous for their "Double Vertical."
The Highlight: They performed a 15-second "Legs-Only" sequence where their legs mimicked the slithering of snakes, moving in perfect mirror-image symmetry while traveling across the pool.
Free Score: 98.900.
Spain: "The Ocean’s Pulse"
Spain knew they had to beat China for the Silver. They wore shimmering "liquid silver" suits.
The Highlight: A "Gravity-Defying" lift where Ona Carbonell was held entirely out of the water by Fuentes' legs alone, while Ona performed a slow-motion swim through the air.
Free Score: 96.900.
China: "The Dragon’s Shadow"
China responded with a routine based on traditional Beijing opera rhythms but with a modern "London" twist.
The Highlight: Their "Twin-Spin"—a synchronized 720 degree rotation that was so fast it created a visible funnel in the water.
Free Score: 96.770.
THE SCORES AFTER TECHNICAL AND FREE
1. Russia - Anastasia Davydova, Mariya Gromova, Natalia Ishchenko, Elvira Khasyanova, Daria Korobova, Alexandra Patskevich, Svetlana Romashina, Angelika Timanina, Alla Shishkina - 197.030
2. China - Chang Si, Chen Xiaojun, Huang Xuechen, Jiang Tingting, Jiang Wenwen, Liu Ou, Luo Xi, Wu Yiwen, Sun Wenyan - 194.010
3. Spain - Clara Basiana, Alba Cabello, Ona Carbonell, Margalida Crespí, Andrea Fuentes, Thaïs Henríquez, Paula Klamburg, Irene Montrucchio, Laia Pons - 193.120
4. Canada - Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon, Stéphanie Durocher, Jo-Annie Fortin, Chloé Isaac, Stéphanie Leclair, Tracy Little, Élise Marcotte, Valerie Welsh, Karine Thomas - 189.630
5. Japan - Yumi Adachi, Aika Hakoyama, Yukiko Inui, Mayo Itoyama, Chisa Kobayashi, Risako Mitsui, Mariko Sakai, Kurumi Yoshida, Mai Nakamura - 187.630
6. Great Britain - Katie Clark, Katie Dawkins, Olivia Allison, Jennifer Knobbs, Victoria Lucass, Asha Randall, Jenna Randall, Katie Skelton, Yvette Baker - 175.440
7. Egypt - Reem Abdalazem, Shaza Abdelrahman, Nour El-Afandi, Dalia El-Gebaly, Samar Hassounah, Youmna Khallaf, Mai Mohamed, Mariam Omar, Aya Darwish - 155.960
8. Australia - Eloise Amberger, Jenny-Lyn Anderson, Sarah Bombell, Olia Burtaev, Tamika Domrow, Bianca Hammett, Tarren Otte, Samantha Reid, Frankie Owen - 154.930
However All 80 Swimmers from 8 Countries will be performing in Tomorrow's Exhibition Gala and they will joined by those who participated in the Women's Duet for the Non-Team Countries
Argentina - Etel Sánchez & Sofía Sánchez
Austria - Nadine Brandl & Livia Lang
Brazil - Nayara Figueira & Lara Teixeira
Czech Republic - Soňa Bernardová & Alžběta Dufková
France - Sara Labrousse & Chloé Willhelm
Greece - Evangelia Platanioti & Despoina Solomou
Hungary - Eszter Czékus & Szofi Kiss
Israel - Anastasia Gloushkov & Inna Yoffe
Kazakhstan - Anna Kulkina & Aigerim Zhexembinova
Mexico - Isabel Delgado & Nuria Diosdado
North Korea - Jang Hyang-Mi & Jong Yon-Hui
South Korea - Park Hyun-Ha & Park Hyun-Sun
Switzerland - Pamela Fischer & Anja Nyffeler
Ukraine - Daria Iushko & Kseniya Sydorenko
United States - Mary Killman & Mariya Koroleva
They will be with us for the Exhibition Gala as well, But Right Now on the Second to Last Day of Artistic Swimming in London, It's Time for the Legs Only Routines
Legs Only Technical
1. Russia: "The Imperial Guard"
The Focus: Absolute verticality.
The Performance: Led by Natalia Ishchenko, the Russians performed as if their legs were frozen in glass. During the "Required 360 Spin," all eight swimmers finished their rotation within 0.01 seconds of each other.
Required Element #1 (The Tower): A 20-second static vertical hold at maximum height. Their hips never wavered.
Score: 9.925
2. China: "The Red Lattice"
The Focus: Structural strength.
The Performance: Huang Xuechen led a routine that looked like a moving bridge. They specialized in the "Rapid-Snap" elements, moving from a split to a vertical with explosive speed.
Required Element #2 (The Scissor-Snap): Three consecutive 180-degree splits performed at 140 BPM.
Score: 9.875
3. Spain: "The Silver Metronome"
The Focus: Rhythmic precision.
The Performance: Ona Carbonell emphasized the musicality of the technical requirements. While other teams were robotic, Spain made the technical elements look like a "dance of the joints."
Required Element #3 (The Bicycle-Drive): A rhythmic underwater leg-cycling move that kept their torsos perfectly stationary above the water.
Score: 9.800
4. Japan: "The Zen Compass"
The Focus: Geometry.
The Performance: The Japanese team, led by Yumi Adachi, was praised for their "Angle Accuracy." Every leg was held at a precise 90 degree or a 45 degree angle relative to the surface.
Required Element #4 (The Diagonal Lock): A sustained hold where one leg is vertical and the other is at a perfect right angle.
Score: 9.750
5. Ukraine: "The Steel Weave"
The Focus: Interlocking.
The Performance: Ukraine emerged as a technical powerhouse in London. They performed their elements in a very tight cluster, showing off their ability to move in confined spaces without colliding.
Required Element #5 (The Helix Spin): A descending spin where the legs "corkscrew" into the water.
Score: 9.625
6. Canada: "The Maple Pillar"
The Focus: Endurance Height.
The Performance: Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon pushed her team to stay higher in the water than any other squad, though they lost a few points on synchronization during the final 30 seconds.
Score: 9.575
7. Egypt: "The Nile Survival"
The Vibe: Resilient, historical, and sharp.
The Routine: Set to a high-tempo tribal rhythm, Egypt focused on "High-Velocity Thrusts." As the youngest team in the competition, they used their explosive energy to make up for technical gaps.
Required Element #1 (The Obelisk): A sustained vertical hold where the swimmers’ legs were held as rigid as stone pillars for 15 seconds.
Squad Leader: Reem Abdalazem. Known for her leadership developed in the US collegiate circuit, she pushed the team to a narrow lead over Australia in the technical phase.
Score: 7.760
8. Australia: "The Great Barrier Reef"
The Vibe: Fluid, wide, and athletic.
The Routine: Australia utilized their natural "Extension and Flow." They focused on the "Required Traveling" elements, moving across the water with a wider "Leg-Span" than the other teams, mimicking the movement of sea life.
Required Element #2 (The Coral Spin): A 360 degree descending spin executed with "soft-pointed" toes, prioritizing the grace of the rotation over pure speed.
Squad Leader: Eloise Amberger. As a veteran leader, she ensured the Australian "Leg-Line" remained perfectly horizontal during the difficult underwater transition sequences.
Score: 7.750
Legs Only Free Routine
1. Russia: "The Lost World"
The Theme: Prehistoric mystery and predatory grace.
The Choreography: Led by Ishchenko, they performed "The Raptor Strike"—a series of lightning-fast vertical thrusts that launched their legs to the mid-thigh, followed by a slow, eerie "Slither" where their feet moved like tentacles.
Free Score: 9.980
2. China: "The Butterfly Lovers"
The Theme: A tragic romantic legend told through water.
The Choreography: Huang Xuechen led the "Tidal Wing-Beat." All 8 swimmers performed 180-degree splits and gently fluttered their feet at the surface, mimicking the wings of a butterfly, before sinking into a "Drowning Spiral."
Free Score: 9.870
3. Spain: "The Ocean’s Pulse"
The Theme: The rhythmic beauty of the Mediterranean.
The Choreography: Ona Carbonell emphasized "The Shimmer." They used a specialized "Ankle-Vibration" technique that made the water surface look like it was boiling, followed by a massive, 8-person interlocking "Star-Spin."
Free Score: 9.840
4. Japan: "The Rising Sun"
The Theme: Discipline and rebirth.
The Choreography: They focused on "The Vertical Forest." For 45 seconds, they remained completely stationary in a high vertical position, moving only their toes in a rhythmic code, showing unbelievable core stability.
Free Score: 9.730
5. Canada: "The Great Northern Storm"
The Theme: The power of a blizzard.
The Choreography: They were the most athletic. They performed "The Ice-Breaker"—crashing their legs down onto the surface to create massive sheets of spray, then diving into a "Turbulent Roll" using only their hips for propulsion.
Free Score: 9.620
6. Great Britain: "The London Beat"
The Theme: A tribute to British Pop and Rock.
The Choreography: To a heavy drum beat, the home team performed "The Union Jack Snap." Their legs moved in sharp, syncopated angles, creating the geometric shapes of the British flag through their leg positions.
Free Score: 8.810
7. Australia: "The Great Barrier Reef"
The Theme: The colors and currents of the reef.
The Choreography: Australia overtook Egypt here. They performed "The Anemone"—a mesmerizing sequence where they laid on their backs and let their legs wave loosely in the current before snapping into a fierce "Shark-Fin" vertical.
Free Score: 7.830
8. Egypt: "The Lion King / Savanna Spirit"
The Theme: The majesty of the African wilderness.
The Choreography: They focused on "The Pounce." Their routine featured "The Leopard Kick"—a sudden, explosive diagonal launch that startled the judges with its power, though they lost marks on synchronization in the final 30 seconds.
Free Score: 7.790
Final Combined Totals (Regular + Legs Only)
Russia - 197.030 + 19.93 = 216.96 (Won Gold)
China - 194.010 + 19.72 = 213.73 (Won Silver)
Spain - 193.120 + 19.64 = 212.76 (Won Bronze)
Canada - 189.630 + 19.48 = 209.11
Japan - 187.630 + 19.17 = 206.8
Great Britain - 175.440 + 17.54 = 192.98
Egypt - 155.960 + 15.55 = 171.51
Australia - 154.930 + 15.58 = 170.51
Exhibition Gala: On The Second to Last Day of the 2012 Summer Olympics on August 11, 2012 and the lights in the Aquatics Centre dim to a deep, foggy violet. The atmosphere is no longer the digital neon of Beijing just like we saw four years ago; it is a cinematic tribute to British history, literature, and the "Industrial Spirit." in which the Exhibition Gala now has 12 acts instead of 10 in honor of the year 2012
Act I: The Opening Number – "Pandemonium"
Inspired by the Opening Ceremony’s tribute to the Industrial Revolution, the opening number represents the forging of the modern world.
The Soundtrack: "And I Will Kiss" by Underworld. The track begins with a slow, mechanical heartbeat and builds into a massive, driving percussive anthem with the sound of clashing steel and rhythmic chanting.
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits are set to a molten, glowing orange and coal-fire red. The water surface is misted with artificial fog, making it look like a steaming factory floor.
The "Pandemonium" Squad Leaders
For the opening, the leadership is divided into three "Engine Cores":
The "Iron Master" (Center): Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) She is the "Piston." Positioned in the dead center, she leads the vertical power moves. Her role is to dictate the height of the entire formation as they "rise from the furnace."
The "Steam" Leads: Ona Carbonell & Andrea Fuentes (Spain) Spain leads the "Swirling Fog" sequence. They coordinate 30 swimmers on the perimeter who use high-speed "Flat-Hand Sculls" to churn the water into a white froth that mimics steam.
The "Gear" Architects: Huang Xuechen & Liu Ou (China) China manages the "Interlocking Mechanical Grid." They ensure the 102-person formation moves in three counter-rotating circles—representing the gears of a massive machine.
The Choreography: The Forging of the Rings
1. The "Foundry" Rise (0:00–1:30)
As the heavy drums begin, 102 pairs of hands emerge from the fog.
The Action: They perform the "Hammer Stroke." They slam their palms against the water in unison on every 4th beat, creating a sound like a blacksmith’s hammer.
The Visual: Their orange LED suits flicker, making the splashes look like sparks of molten iron.
2. The "Great Gear" (1:30–3:00)
The Move: The swimmers link feet-to-shoulders to form three massive, concentric "Gears."
The Technical Twist: The inner and outer gears rotate clockwise, while the middle gear rotates counter-clockwise.
The "Legs Only" Moment: They transition into a Horizontal Side-Leg Scull, moving the "Gears" at high speed without using their arms. From the rafters, it looks like a giant, glowing machine operating under the water.
3. The "Molten Ring" Finale (3:00–4:30)
The Highlight: The "102-Person Helix."
The Action: The gears break and reform into five interlocked circles.
The Finish: On the final, triumphant brass note, all 102 swimmers perform a "Power-Rocket Launch" to the waist, throwing their arms into a "V" as pyrotechnics fire from the pool deck.
The Transition: The orange light fades instantly to a clean, clinical white. The industrial noise stops.
The steam clears. The orange glow of the furnace is replaced by a soft, "Green and Pleasant" light. The sound of heavy machinery is gone, replaced by a single, distant church bell.
Act 2: The Green and Pleasant Land – "The Pastoral Symphony"
The harsh, molten orange of the Industrial Revolution is extinguished. The London Aquatics Centre is bathed in a soft emerald green and meadow-wildflower gold. This act is a tribute to the British countryside—gentle, rolling, and timeless.
The Soundtrack: "Jerusalem" / "Nimrod" (Remix). A sweeping, cinematic orchestral arrangement featuring lush violins and a soft, rhythmic acoustic guitar. The tempo is a walking pace (80 BPM).
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits shift to a gradient of moss green and sky blue. The overhead projectors cast leaf patterns and the shadows of "rolling hills" onto the surface of the pool.
The "Pastoral" Squad Leaders (The Shepherds)
In Act II, the choreography is "Fluid and Organic." The 102 swimmers must move like grass blowing in the wind or a river flowing through a valley.
The "Willow" Lead: Ona Carbonell (Spain) Known for her extreme grace, Ona leads the "Bending Reed" sequence. She dictates the "Sway"—a slow-motion tilt of 102 torsos that must be perfectly fluid, without any jagged movements.
The "Meadow" Leads: The Canadian Squad (Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon) Canada manages the "Blooming Formation." They lead the transition from a tight "clump" (a seed) to a wide, expansive "meadow" that fills the entire 50-meter pool.
The "River" Anchor: Jenna Randall (Great Britain) The home-crowd favorite acts as the "Current." She leads a file of 20 swimmers who weave in and out of the larger formation like a winding brook.
The Choreography: The Breath of the Land
1. The "Morning Dew" (0:00–1:30)
The 102 swimmers are lying on their backs in a "Back Layout" position, covering the surface like a carpet of green.
The Action: They perform "The Pulse." Using a soft "Gently-Flick" movement of their wrists and ankles, they create tiny, rhythmic ripples that travel from the center of the pool to the edges, mimicking the wind blowing across a field of wheat.
2. The "Rolling Hills" (1:30–2:45)
The Move: "The Submerged Arch."
The Action: The swimmers form three long horizontal lines across the pool.
The Technical Twist: Starting from the left side, each swimmer performs a "Slow-Motion Dolphin Arch" (submerging head-first and resurfacing feet-first). As they move in sequence, it creates the visual effect of a "Green Wave" or a rolling hill traveling across the water.
3. The "Summer Bloom" Finale (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Petal Flower."
The Action: All 102 swimmers converge into the center. The "Base" swimmers (China and Russia) stay submerged, while the "Petal" swimmers (the rest of the world) extend their legs outward in a perfect circle.
The Finish: On the final swell of the violins, the circle "opens." The swimmers perform a "Back-Soft-Vertical," slowly sinking while their arms reach out like petals opening to the sun. The emerald light fades into a misty white.
The peaceful countryside begins to fade. The silence is broken by a quirky, ticking clock sound. The atmosphere turns a playful "Pop" pink and electric blue.
Act 3: The "Ticking Clock" (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers form a massive circle that fills the diving well.
The Action: They perform the "Metronome Leg." One leg is held straight up in a vertical, and on every tick of the music, the entire group snaps their legs 15 degrees to the left and 15 degrees to the right.
The Visual: From above, it looks like a 102-handed clock vibrating with energy.
2. The "Mind the Gap" Slide (1:15–2:30)
The Move: "The Subway Zip."
The Action: The swimmers form two long lines facing each other.
The Technical Twist: Using high-speed "Side-Piston" kicks, the lines race toward each other. At the last second, they perform a "Head-First Surface Dive" to pass under one another, popping up on the opposite side in a seated "Tube" position.
3. The "Tea-Cup" Finale (2:30–3:45)
The Highlight: "The 102-Point Whirlpool."
The Action: The swimmers break into 12 small "cups" (circles of 8-9).
The Move: They perform a "Stirring" maneuver, where they use their outer arms to churn the water while their inner legs perform a synchronized "Sugar-Cube" drop (a vertical sink).
The Finish: On the final guitar riff, all 102 swimmers perform a "Teapot Pour"—one leg vertical, one arm curved as a handle—and submerge into a cloud of pink bubbles.
The quirky ticking stops. The "Pop" colors vanish. The water is suddenly hit by a deep, oceanic teal and the sound of a lone, distant foghorn. We are leaving London for the vastness of the British Empire's seas.
Act 4: The Admiral’s Fleet – "Rule the Waves"
The playful pink bubbles of the tea party are swept away by a surge of deep navy blue, sea-foam white, and metallic silver. This act is a tribute to Britain’s maritime history—the strength of the Royal Navy and the rhythmic power of the Atlantic Ocean.
The Soundtrack: "Victory at Sea / Heart of Oak (Techno-Orchestral Remix)." A cinematic score featuring deep, rolling kettle drums and a triumphant trumpet section, backed by a steady 120 BPM maritime "march."
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits shift to a crisp navy blue with silver "braid" accents on the shoulders. The pool lighting creates long, rhythmic "swell" shadows that move across the bottom of the tank.
The "Naval" Squad Leaders (The High Admirals)
In Act IV, the choreography is "Rigid, Militaristic, and Powerful." It requires perfect spacing to mimic a fleet of ships moving in formation.
The "Flagship" Lead: The Russian Squad (Natalia Ishchenko) Positioned at the very "bow" of the formation. She leads the "Icebreaker" move, where the 102-swimmer block splits the water with a high-speed "V-shaped" traveling scull.
The "Destroyer" Wing: The USA Squad (Mary Killman & Mariya Koroleva) The Americans lead the "Broadside." They coordinate the two flanking lines of 20 swimmers who perform rapid-fire, explosive arm-thrusts that mimic cannons firing from the side of a ship.
The "Submarine" Unit: The Chinese Squad (Huang Xuechen) China manages the "Depth-Charge." They lead the 30-person center core who stay almost entirely submerged, using only their legs to create "turbulence" beneath the surface to propel the "Fleet" forward.
The Choreography: The Maritime March
1. The "Dreadnought" Advance (0:00–1:30)
The 102 swimmers form a massive "Arrowhead" formation.
The Action: They perform the "Cutter Stroke." Using a sharp, military-style "Breaststroke" pull, they move forward in 10-meter surges. Between each stroke, they hold a "Flat-Back Layout" with their LED suits glowing silver, looking like a fleet of metallic hulls cutting through the water.
2. The "Rough Seas" Maneuver (1:30–3:00)
The Move: "The Rolling Swell."
The Action: The 102 swimmers break into 10 horizontal rows of 10.
The Technical Twist: Rows 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 perform a "High-Vertical Rise" while Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 perform a "Head-First Dive." They alternate back and forth, creating the visual effect of a massive, pitching ocean during a storm.
3. The "Anchor" Finale (3:00–4:15)
The Highlight: "The 102-Point Star-Anchor."
The Action: The swimmers converge in the center to form a massive, 4-pronged anchor shape.
The Finish: On the final, booming strike of the kettle drum, the 102 swimmers perform a "Weighted Descent." They exhale completely and sink vertically with their arms snapped to their sides (at attention). As they submerge, their navy suits fade into a deep, dark abyss.
The martial brass of the Navy fades into the sound of electronic static and the hum of a London radio. The deep blue begins to flicker with neon green and binary-code yellow.
Act 5: The Digital Grid – "The Enigma Code"The maritime depths of the previous act vanish, replaced by a matrix of emerald green, binary yellow, and electric cobalt. This act is a tribute to Alan Turing and the British birth of the modern computer. It is the most "mathematical" act of the gala.The Soundtrack: "The Binary Stream." A glitch-hop track featuring the rhythmic sound of a 1940s typewriter that slowly evolves into a high-speed "Techno-Processor" beat. Every 8th beat features a "Digital Error" sound that triggers a sudden change in formation.The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits are programmed for "Glitch-Mapping." They flicker with scrolling binary code ($1$s and $0$s) that seems to travel across the swimmers' bodies like data on a screen.The "Digital" Squad Leaders (The Logic Gates)In Act V, the choreography is "Non-Linear and Robotic." The 102 swimmers must move in sharp, 45 to 90 degree angles, mimicking the internal circuitry of a computer.
The "CPU" Lead: The Japanese Squad (Saho Harada) Japan leads the "Data Processing" core. They occupy the center of the pool, performing ultra-fast, micro-movements (head snaps and hand-flashes) that dictate the "Clock-Speed" for the rest of the squad.
The "Network" Leads: The Canadian Squad (Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon) Canada manages the "Data Packets." They lead groups of 10 swimmers who "zip" from one corner of the pool to another in straight lines, representing information traveling through a fiber-optic cable.
The "Input/Output" Anchor: The Russian Squad (Svetlana Romashina) Svetlana leads the "Code-Breaking" sequence. She initiates the "Recursive" moves—patterns that start small and repeat until all 102 swimmers are performing them in a massive, overwhelming loop.
The Choreography: The Binary Matrix
1. The "System Boot" (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers are in a perfect 6x17 grid, lying flat and motionless.
The Action: "The Pixel Flicker." Starting from one corner, individual swimmers "blink" their LED suits on and off in a rapid, diagonal sequence. It looks like a computer monitor turning on.
The Move: They perform a "Snap-Vertical" but only to the height of their ankles, holding the position with vibrating intensity.
2. The "Enigma" Sequence (1:15–2:45)
The Move: "The Rotating Rotor."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form three massive interlocking circles that mimic the rotors of the Enigma machine.
The Technical Twist: Each circle rotates at a different speed. On the "Error" beat in the music, the circles instantly stop, and the swimmers perform a 180 degree roll, resurfacing in a completely different color (from green to yellow).
3. The "Logic Gate" Finale (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Swimmer Circuit."
The Action: The swimmers form "Parallel Lines." They perform a "Binary Kick"—one leg up (1), one leg down (0).
The Finish: On the final "System Crash" sound, all 102 swimmers perform a "Hard Reset" Submerge. They drop vertically, and as their heads go under, the LED suits flash red for one micro-second before the entire pool goes pitch black.
The digital humming stops. The clinical green light is replaced by a warm, theatrical "Stage White" and the sound of a distant, soaring operatic soprano. We are moving from the machine to the theater.
Act 6: The West End – "The Stage on the Water"
Since we are expanding to the 12-Act structure of the London 2012 Gala, Act VI serves as the "Intermission Highlight." This act celebrates London’s theatrical heart—the West End. It transforms the 50-meter pool into a grand stage, shifting from the digital coldness of Act V into a world of drama, spotlights, and "Theatrical Flare."
The Soundtrack: "The Show Must Go On" (Orchestral/Rock Fusion). A powerful, sweeping arrangement that blends the dramatic strings of Phantom of the Opera with the driving rock anthem of Queen.
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits shift to a theatrical "Velvet Red" and "Spotlight White." For the first time, the overhead lights use sharp, narrow beams that follow the squad leaders like stage spotlights.
The "West End" Squad Leaders (The Leading Ladies)
In Act VI, the choreography is "Expressive and Dramatic." It is less about geometric precision and more about Stage Presence.
The "Prima Donna": Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) Natalia channels her "Swan Lake" training. She leads the "Overture Solo-to-Group." She starts in the center of the spotlight, performing a high-extension "Back-Layout" that slowly pulls the other 101 swimmers into her orbit.
The "Ensemble" Leads: The Spanish Squad (Ona Carbonell) Spain leads the "Chorus Line." They coordinate 40 swimmers in a perfectly synchronized "Leg-Kick" sequence along the length of the pool, mimicking a Broadway line but with a vertical, aquatic twist.
The "Phantom" Leads: The Chinese Squad (Huang Xuechen) China manages the "Shadow Play." They lead the 30 swimmers who perform submerged "Dramatics"—reaching hands out of the water in a rhythmic, grasping motion to the operatic peaks of the music.
The Choreography: The Grand Performance
1. The "Curtain Call" (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers are in a "Horseshoe" formation, facing the main grandstand.
The Action: "The Dramatic Reveal." Swimmers are submerged. On each orchestral "stab," a new row of 10 swimmers bursts out of the water to the waist, arms thrown wide in a "Ta-da!" pose, before sinking back down.
The Visual: It looks like a massive red curtain opening across the surface of the pool.
2. The "Spotlight" Weave (1:15–2:45)
The Move: "The Rotating Stage."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form three concentric rings.
The Technical Twist: The center ring (the Leaders) performs "High-Speed Vertical Spins" while the outer rings perform "Slow-Motion Ballet-Legs." As the spotlights sweep the pool, the "Red" LED suits catch the light, creating the illusion of spinning velvet on the water.
3. The "Grand Finale" (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Point Bow."
The Action: The squad forms a massive "V" shape (for Victory).
The Finish: On the final soaring note of the soprano, all 102 swimmers perform a "Falling-Layout"—sinking backwards slowly with one hand over their heart and the other reaching toward the ceiling. The red lights fade into a deep, theatrical violet.
The applause of the West End fades. The "Stage White" light is replaced by a moody, "Streetlight Gold" and "Raindrop Silver." The sound of the orchestra is replaced by the rumble of a double-decker bus and a rainy London night.
Act 7: The Streets of London – "Urban Pulse"
The theatrical velvet of the West End vanishes, replaced by a gritty, cinematic "Streetlight Gold" and "Raindrop Silver." This act captures the energy of the London night—from the sleek lines of a Black Cab to the rhythmic rumble of a double-decker bus.
The Soundtrack: "The Night Bus." A fusion of dubstep-inspired basslines, sampled sounds of rain on metal, and the distant, melodic chime of Big Ben. The beat is a heavy, "staggered" urban rhythm (110 BPM).
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits switch to a "Reflective Chrome" and "Street-Lamp Yellow." The pool surface is hit by "Strobe" lighting that mimics the flash of a passing train or a photographer’s bulb.
The "Street" Squad Leaders (The Urban Navigators)
In Act VII, the choreography is "Linear and Sharp." It mimics the layout of a city map and the sudden, jerky movements of traffic.
The "Traffic Controller": Jenna Randall (Great Britain) Leading on her home turf, Jenna manages the "Gridlock." She coordinates 102 swimmers into intersecting lines that must pass through each other with only millimeters of clearance—representing the precision of London traffic.
The "Double-Decker" Leads: The Canadian Squad (Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon) Canada leads the "Heavy-Vehicle" formation. They lead the "Tiered Vertical"—swimmers holding different heights (knees, mid-thigh, waist) to create a "two-story" effect in the water.
The "Neon Rain" Leads: The Japanese Squad (Yumi Adachi) Japan manages the "Fluid Texture." They lead the perimeter swimmers who perform high-speed "Finger-Flicks," sending thousands of tiny droplets into the air to catch the silver "Rain" lights.
The Choreography: The Concrete Jungle
1. The "Black Cab" Sprint (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers form three parallel "Streets."
The Action: "The Zig-Zag Travel." Using a specialized side-scull, the swimmers "dart" left and right in sharp, 45 degree angles, moving down the length of the pool.
The Visual: The yellow LED suits make them look like a fleet of London taxis weaving through traffic at night.
2. The "Underground" Pulse (1:15–2:45)
The Move: "The Tube-Tunnel Glide."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form a single, 50-meter long "Train" by linking ankles.
The Technical Twist: They perform a "Submerged Ripple"—the head of the train dives while the tail rises, creating a continuous "looping" motion that travels the entire length of the line. It mimics the sensation of a train rushing through a tunnel.
3. The "Midnight Chime" (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Swimmer Clockwork."
The Action: As the soundtrack samples the deep BONG of Big Ben, the formation dissolves into a massive, 12-pointed star.
The Finish: On each of the 12 chimes, a different "arm" of the star performs a "Power-Snap Vertical" and then sinks. On the 12th chime, all 102 swimmers perform a "Crashed-Layout" (dropping flat onto their backs), and the silver lights fade into a rainy grey.
The urban rumble fades. The grey "rainy" light is replaced by a vibrant, "Neon Pink" and "Electric Orange." The heavy bass is replaced by a fast, 130 BPM pop-synth. We are heading into the world of British fashion and youth culture.
Act 8: The Runway – "The Fashion Avant-Garde"
The rainy streets of London are instantly replaced by the blinding, high-contrast flash of a paparazzi’s bulb. The pool is hit with shocking pink, neon turquoise, and metallic gold. This act celebrates British High Fashion—from the punk rebellion of Vivienne Westwood to the structured elegance of Alexander McQueen.
The Soundtrack: "Catwalk Control." A high-energy, "vogueing" house track featuring heavy synth-bass and the rhythmic, metallic click-clack of high heels sampled into the beat (128 BPM).
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits are programmed with "Asymmetrical Patterns"—one leg glowing neon pink, the other neon blue. They wear specialized, high-fashion "fin-heels" that make their feet look like avant-garde sculptures when they break the surface.
The "Runway" Squad Leaders (The Supermodels)
In Act VIII, the choreography is "Pose-Heavy and Fierce." Every movement must end in a "Freeze" that looks like a magazine cover.
The "Couture" Lead: Ona Carbonell (Spain) Ona leads the "Angular Aesthetic." Known for her lines, she dictates the "Sharp-Pose" sequence—where 102 swimmers snap into "Broken-Verticals" (one leg straight, one bent at a 90 degree angle) in perfect unison.
The "Punk" Leads: The USA Squad (Mary Killman) The Americans lead the "Rebellion" sector. They coordinate the "Splash-Cuts"—aggressive, non-traditional arm-slaps that break the "polite" synchronization to create a chaotic, punk-rock energy.
The "Structure" Lead: Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) Natalia manages the "Architecture." She ensures that even during the most frantic pop-music sections, the "Silhouette" of the 102-swimmer block remains as sharp as a tailored suit.
The Choreography: The Aquatic Catwalk
1. The "Step-and-Repeat" (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers form a long, narrow "Runway" down the center of the pool.
The Action: "The Fashion Walk." Pairs of swimmers "strut" down the center of the lane using a high-tension "Bicycle Kick" that keeps their shoulders out of the water.
The Move: At the "end" of the runway, they perform a "Triple-Snap Pose"—three rapid head-turns and arm-angles—before diving out of the way for the next pair.
2. The "Kaleidoscope" Vogue (1:15–2:45)
The Move: "The Editorial Spin."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form 6 small, interlocking circles (representing the lens of a camera).
The Technical Twist: Each circle performs a "Layered Leg-Drop." One swimmer drops their leg, then the next, then the next, creating a "domino" effect of neon color that travels around the circle in time with the house beat.
3. The "Grand Finale Look" (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Swimmer Silhouette."
The Action: The entire squad converges to form the shape of a giant "Diamond."
The Finish: On the final "Camera Shutter" sound, all 102 swimmers perform a "Maximum-Height Vertical" with their toes pointed so hard they look like needles. The LED suits flash a blinding "Strobe White" before the pool goes dark.
The high-fashion bassline fades. The neon colors vanish. The air is suddenly filled with the sound of a distant stadium roar and a whistle blow. The pool turns a grassy "Stadium Green" and "Olympic Gold."
Act 9: The Playing Fields – "The Spirit of Sport"
The high-fashion strobe lights vanish, replaced by the warm, iconic "Stadium Green" of a manicured pitch and a triumphant "Olympic Gold." This act is a high-octane tribute to the birthplace of many global sports—football, rugby, tennis, and rowing. It is the most athletic and physically demanding act of the Gala.
The Soundtrack: "Chariots of Fire (Stadium Remix)." It begins with the iconic, slow electronic pulse, then explodes into a high-tempo drum-and-bass anthem that incorporates whistles, crowd roars, and the rhythmic "thwack" of a tennis ball.
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits switch to "Athletic Stripes"—vibrant greens, whites, and golds. They wear specialized wristbands that trail "light-ribbons" through the water as they move.
The "Sport" Squad Leaders (The Team Captains)
In Act IX, the choreography is "High-Impact and Explosive." It mimics the agility of a pitch and the power of the rowing shells.
The "Striker": Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) Natalia leads the "Ballistic Thrusts." She dictates the timing of the "Power-Jumps," where the swimmers must use a massive "Eggbeater" kick to launch their entire torsos out of the water, mimicking a goalkeeper’s save.
The "Coxswain": Jenna Randall (Great Britain) Leading the "Rowing Eight" formation. She coordinates a line of 102 swimmers into 12 "shells." They must move their arms in a perfect, sweeping rowing motion that creates 102 identical circular ripples.
The "Scrum" Lead: The Canadian Squad (Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon) Canada leads the "Power Pack." They manage a cluster formation in the center where swimmers push against each other’s shoulders to create a "Human Fountain," elevating the center swimmer to incredible heights.
The Choreography: The Olympic Match
1. The "Wimbledon" Rally (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers split into two "teams" on opposite sides of the pool.
The Action: "The Traveling Volley." One side performs a sharp, diagonal arm-thrust (the "Serve"). As the sound of a tennis ball "pop" hits the speakers, the other side responds with a synchronized "Backhand-Layout."
The Visual: The "light-ribbons" on their wrists create neon arcs across the pool, looking like tennis balls flying back and forth.
2. The "University Boat Race" (1:15–2:30)
The Move: "The 102-Man Shell."
The Action: The swimmers form one long, continuous line from the shallow end to the deep end.
The Technical Twist: They perform a "Rhythmic Lean." On every "pull" beat of the music, the entire line leans back into a layout, then snaps forward into a seated position. The synchronization must be so tight that the 50-meter line looks like a single solid object.
3. The "Stoppage Time" Finale (2:30–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Point Goal."
The Action: The squad forms the shape of a giant "Olympic Ring" cluster.
The Finish: On the final, triumphant swell of Chariots of Fire, all 102 swimmers perform a "Maximum Rocket-Launcher." They explode upward, arms reaching for the "Gold" ceiling lights. As they hit the peak of their jump, they perform a "Mid-Air Twist" before disappearing into a massive, gold-lit splash.
The stadium roar reaches a deafening peak and then cuts to a sudden, reverent silence. The "Stadium Green" fades into a majestic "Royal Purple" and "Imperial Gold." The sound of a single, haunting trumpet begins to play.
Act 10: The Royal Legacy – "The Diamond Jubilee"
The athletic energy of the stadium vanishes, replaced by a sense of Imperial Grandeur. The London Aquatics Centre is bathed in a majestic "Royal Purple" and "Glistening Diamond White." This act celebrates the 2012 Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, focusing on tradition, elegance, and the "Crown Jewels" of British history.
The Soundtrack: "Zadok the Priest" (Modern Regal Remix). The famous coronation anthem’s building string tension leads into a massive, triumphant choral explosion. The beat is slow, deliberate, and powerful (60 BPM).
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits are programmed for "Jewel-Tone Radiance." Deep amethysts, sapphires, and rubies flicker across the formation, while their headpieces catch the spotlights like faceted diamonds.
The "Royal" Squad Leaders (The Sovereign Guard)
In Act X, the choreography is "Stately and Statuesque." Every movement is slow-motion, requiring extreme core strength to maintain "Perfect Stillness" in the water.
The "Crown" Lead: Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) Positioned at the very top of a "Tiara" formation. She leads the "Scepter Vertical"—a slow-motion ascent where the legs rise out of the water inch-by-inch, timed perfectly with the rising crescendo of the choir.
The "Garter" Leads: The Spanish Squad (Ona Carbonell & Andrea Fuentes) Spain leads the "Processional." They coordinate 40 swimmers who perform "Ballet-Leg" rotations that mimic the unfolding of a royal cape across the surface.
The "Orbe" Leads: The Chinese Squad (Huang Xuechen) China manages the "Spherical Symmetry." They lead a core group of 30 swimmers who form a perfect, rotating globe in the center of the pool, representing the global reach of the Commonwealth.
The Choreography: The Coronation
1. The "Imperial Procession" (0:00–1:30)
The 102 swimmers form two long, parallel lines—the "Royal Aisle."
The Action: "The Regal Glide." Swimmers perform a "Side-Layout," moving slowly toward the center. As they meet, they lock arms and perform a "Synchronized Submerge" starting from the front of the line to the back, like a heavy velvet curtain falling.
2. The "Diamond Lattice" (1:30–2:45)
The Move: "The Jewel Setting."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form a massive, intricate diamond-shaped grid.
The Technical Twist: Each "row" of the diamond performs a "Counter-Rotation." While inverted, they cross their legs at the ankles and slowly unwrap them, creating a visual effect of a diamond being polished and catching the light.
3. The "Jubilee" Finale (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Point Great Crown."
The Action: All 102 swimmers converge to form the shape of St Edward's Crown.
The Finish: On the final "God Save the Queen" chord, the swimmers at the "base" of the crown perform a "Power-Support," lifting the top 8 swimmers (the Squad Leaders) entirely out of the water to the waist.
The Visual: The LED suits flash a brilliant "Diamond White," turning the entire pool into a shimmering mountain of light.
The majestic choir fades. The purple light begins to swirl with "Lava-Lamp" oranges and "Psychadelic" violets. The sound of a sitar and a heavy electric guitar riff begins to echo through the rafters.
Act 11: The Swinging Sixties – "Summer of Love"
The regal purple of the Diamond Jubilee dissolves into a kaleidoscopic swirl of "Lava-Lamp Orange," "Psychedelic Violet," and "Sunshine Yellow." This act is a tribute to the era of the Beatles, Carnaby Street, and the cultural explosion of the 1960s. It’s the "Free Spirit" act before the disciplined grand finale.
The Soundtrack: "The Abbey Road Medley." A high-energy remix of Revolution, transitioning into the sitar-heavy Within You Without You, and culminating in a driving, orchestral version of All You Need Is Love.
The Look: The 102 swimmers’ LED suits are programmed with "Tie-Dye Pulses." Colors bleed into one another across the formation. They wear customized "Flower Power" caps that leave a trail of bubbles resembling floating petals.
The "Sixties" Squad Leaders (The Peace Icons)
In Act XI, the choreography is "Fluid, Groovy, and Expansive." It breaks the rigid military lines of the previous act for a more liberated, "dancing" style.
The "Yellow Submarine" Lead: The British Squad (Jenna Randall) As the local icons, the British team leads the "Submerged Voyage." They coordinate a 20-person line that "snakes" through the pool entirely underwater, with only their neon-yellow fins breaking the surface like periscopes.
The "Kaleidoscope" Leads: The Spanish Squad (Ona Carbonell) Spain leads the "Circular Mandala." They manage 40 swimmers in a complex, rotating formation where legs move in "Petal-Folds"—opening and closing in rhythmic patterns like a blooming flower.
The "Revolution" Leads: The USA Squad (Mary Killman) The Americans bring the "Rock 'n' Roll" energy. They lead the "Twist and Shout" sequence—high-speed vertical rotations with "Flexed-Foot" accents that defy traditional synchronized swimming lines.
The Choreography: The Psychedelic Wave
1. The "Strawberry Fields" Float (0:00–1:15)
The 102 swimmers are scattered across the pool in seemingly random "Peace Sign" clusters.
The Action: "The Jellyfish Pulse." Swimmers lie on their backs and pull their knees to their chests, then explode outward into a star shape.
The Visual: With the LED suits pulsing pink and red, the pool looks like a field of swaying flowers viewed through a kaleidoscope.
2. The "Cross-Walk" Weave (1:15–2:45)
The Move: "The Abbey Road Crossing."
The Action: The 102 swimmers form four distinct lines, each moving toward a different corner of the pool.
The Technical Twist: As the lines "cross" in the center, swimmers must perform a "Back-Tuck Somersault" to avoid collision, popping up on the other side without breaking their "Mod" stride. It’s a masterpiece of spatial awareness.
3. The "All You Need Is Love" Finale (2:45–4:00)
The Highlight: "The 102-Swimmer Heart."
The Action: The entire squad converges to form a massive, 50-meter wide heart shape.
The Finish: On the final trumpet swell, the swimmers perform a "Linked-Ankle Lift." The outer ring of the heart sinks while the inner ring rises, creating a 3D "beating" effect.
The Transition: The psychedelic colors begin to merge into three distinct stripes: Red, White, and Blue.
The sitar fades. The lava-lamp colors sharpen into the crisp, bold lines of the national flag. The air in the Aquatics Centre chills as the music cuts to a heavy, 145 BPM electronic pulse.
Act #12: The Double Decade Finale
Part #1: The Regular Finale – "The United Kingdom" (5 Minutes)
The Theme: Full-body power, unity, and the fusion of all four home nations (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
The Soundtrack: A cinematic orchestral mashup of "Land of Hope and Glory" and "Skyfall." It is heavy on percussion, creating a booming, heartbeat-like rhythm that echoes through the water.
The Look: All 102 swimmers’ LED suits are synced to a Pure Pearl White. In the dark water, they look like a ghost-fleet of light.
The Choreography highlights:
The "Highland" Toss (Minute 2): In a massive display of strength, the Russian and Chinese power-bases form underwater platforms. They catapult 12 "Flyers" (the top soloists from each nation) nearly 15 feet into the air. The flyers perform triple-twisting somersaults before piercing the water in total silence.
The "Dragon’s Breath" (Minute 4): The swimmers form a long, winding serpentine shape representing the Welsh Dragon. Using synchronized arm-strokes, they create a "roaring" wave of spray that travels from the head of the dragon to the tail, illuminated by red spotlights.
The Full-Body Pivot: In the final 30 seconds of Part I, the 102 swimmers link arms in a massive grid. They perform a "Vertical-to-Horizontal" tilt, moving as one solid sheet of white light.
Part II: The "Legs Only" Finale – "The Union Jack" (5 Minutes)
The Theme: The transition from the human form to the "Mechanical Monument." As the music shifts, every swimmer dives deep. Arms are tucked away. From here on, only the lower body exists.
The Structural Leadership
The "Cross of St. George" (Red): Led by Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) and Jenna Randall (UK). They command the vertical and horizontal bars of the flag.
The "Cross of St. Andrew" (White): Led by Huang Xuechen (China) and Marie-Pier Boudreau Gagnon (Canada). They manage the diagonal "X" formation.
The "Blue Fields" (Navy): Led by Ona Carbonell (Spain) and the remaining leaders from Japan, Australia, and Egypt. They fill the four triangular quadrants.
Minute 6–8: The Mechanical Flag
The 102 pairs of legs emerge in a shimmering, three-color grid.
The Action: The "Industrial Pulse." On every heavy beat, the Red Cross (Russia/UK) performs a "Power-Snap" to maximum height, while the White Cross (China/Canada) performs a "Slow-Sinking Helix." * The Visual: From the rafters, it looks like a living, breathing Union Jack is being woven and un-woven on the surface of the water.
Minute 9: The "Legs-Only" Goodbye Movements
Instead of waving hands, the swimmers use their lower bodies to perform the traditional "Gala Farewell."
The "Ankle Wave": The 102 swimmers rotate onto their backs. They extend their legs and perform a rhythmic, side-to-side "Windshield Wiper" motion with their feet. It mimics the movement of 102 hands waving goodbye to the London crowd.
The "Twinkle Toes": Led by Ona Carbonell, the swimmers perform a high-frequency "vibration" with their ankles, creating a sparkling mist of water that catches the gold spotlights.
The "Bowing Vertical": The Squad Leaders move to the center. They perform a "Split-to-Vertical" closure, slowly tilting their legs forward toward the grandstand in a "Bow" of respect, all while maintaining perfect height above the water.
Minute 10: The Final Submersion
The music swells into a final, sustained orchestral note.
The "102-Point Victory V": Every swimmer snaps into a wide "V" position.
The Squad Leader "Salute": In the dead center, the 8 Squad Leaders perform a "Triple-360 Spin" in a vertical position, their legs moving so fast they look like blurred streaks of red, white, and blue light.
The Vanishing: On the final beat, all 102 swimmers perform a "Back-Layout Sink." Their legs are the last thing visible; they slowly descend into the water, with the toes of the 8 Squad Leaders being the very last points to disappear beneath the surface which concludes the Artistic Swimming Competition of the 2012 Summer Olympics
And Now It's Onto 2016 with the 2016 Summer Olympics taking place in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil however the Artistic Swimming Events lasted for a Full Week kicking off on August 14th as 104 Swimmers from 24 Nations Competed.
DUET
1. Russia: Ishchenko & Romashina
The Element Focus: The "Required Rocket Split."
The Execution: They performed their elements with a "mechanical soul." Their height during the required vertical was so consistent that their hips didn't drop even a millimeter during the rotation.
Technical Score: 96.457
2. China: Huang & Sun
The Element Focus: The "Required 360 Spin."
The Execution: China focused on "Vertical Velocity." They hit the required positions faster than the Russians, though they were slightly penalized for a minor synchronization "shimmer" during the final element.
Technical Score: 95.368
3. Japan: Inui & Mitsui
The Element Focus: The "Required Barracuda Airborne Split."
The Execution: Under the intense coaching of Masayo Imura, Japan showed zero "drift." They stayed perfectly in place in the water while performing the required traveling elements.
Technical Score: 93.120
4. Ukraine: Ananasova & Voloshyna
The Element Focus: The "Required Ballet Leg Sequence."
The Execution: Known for their extreme flexibility, the Ukrainians made the required technical lines look like a work of art, though they lacked the "explosive power" of the top two.
Technical Score: 93.135 (A fraction ahead of Japan in technicality).
5. Spain: Carbonell & Mengual
The Element Focus: The "Required Combined Spin."
The Execution: This was a veteran performance. While they didn't have the highest vertical height, their synchronization was veteran-level, showing the chemistry between Ona and the returning legend Gemma Mengual.
Technical Score: 92.502
Duet Free
Russia: "The Mermaids" (Ishchenko & Romashina)
The Routine: A haunting, supernatural performance. They wore suits with metallic scales and used "webbed-finger" hand synchronized movements.
The Highlight: Their "Submerged Waltz"—a 40-second sequence where they stayed entirely underwater, perfectly synchronized to the music, resurfacing only to perform a massive "Double-Rocket" split.
Free Score: 98.533
Final Aggregate: 194.990 (GOLD)
2. China: "Desire" (Huang & Sun)
The Routine: A masterclass in speed and percussion. They moved to a heavy, traditional drum beat mixed with modern bass.
The Highlight: The "Horizontal Flight." They performed a series of rapid traveling moves that covered the entire 50-meter pool in half the time of the other competitors.
Free Score: 97.000
Final Aggregate: 192.368 (SILVER)
3. Japan: "The Japanese Spirit" (Inui & Mitsui)
The Routine: A high-tempo tribute to Japanese folklore, featuring sharp, "Samurai-sword" arm strikes.
The Highlight: The "Rapid-Fire 720." They performed two full vertical rotations in under 3 seconds, finishing with a sharp head-snap that drew a roar from the crowd.
Free Score: 94.933
Final Aggregate: 188.054 (BRONZE)
4. Ukraine: "The Nutcracker" (Ananasova & Voloshyna)
The Routine: A contemporary take on the classic ballet, using jerky, "doll-like" movements that transitioned into elegant swimming.
The Highlight: Their leg flexibility. During the "Grand Plie" underwater, their leg lines were so wide and straight they were nearly unrecognizable as human limbs.
Free Score: 94.000
Final Aggregate: 187.135
5. Spain: "Concierto de Aranjuez" (Carbonell & Mengual)
The Routine: Pure Spanish passion. They utilized traditional Flamenco rhythms, focusing on the intricate "clapping" motions of their hands above the water.
The Highlight: The "Guitarrillo." A sequence where one swimmer acts as the instrument and the other the player, involving complex, interlocking limb movements.
Free Score: 94.133
Final Aggregate: 186.635
(Note: All Other Performances for all other countries that played out the same way OTL to be exact)
FINAL RESULTS
Gold - Russia (194.990)
Silver - China (192.368)
Bronze - Japan (188.054)
And Now, The Team Competition Begins
Russia – "The Ritual"
The Vibe: Dark, intense, and rhythmically complex.
The Performance: Russia was a machine. Their first required element—the Acrobatic Lift—saw the flyer launched into a perfect tuck-and-twist. Their "Deck Work" (the movements on the pool edge before diving in) was so sharp it sounded like a single footstep.
The Edge: Their vertical lines were flawless; even under the water, you could see eight pairs of legs moving as one solid unit.
Technical Score: 97.0106
2. China – "The Knight"
The Vibe: Powerful, regal, and aggressive.
The Performance: China focused on "Height and Travel." They covered more of the pool surface than any other team during their required elements. Their Cadence Action (the sequence where swimmers move one after the other) was rapid-fire and perfectly timed to the heavy drumbeat.
The Edge: They had the highest "Airborne" height of the day, though they were a fraction behind Russia in purely artistic transition.
Technical Score: 95.6174
3. Japan – "The Spirit of the Sun"
The Vibe: Fast-paced, traditional, and incredibly precise.
The Performance: Under "The Mother of Japanese Synchro," Masayo Imura, Japan was the comeback story of Rio. Their movements were jerky and robotic in a way that highlighted their insane speed. Their Required 360 Rotation was the fastest in the field.
The Edge: They stayed perfectly stationary in the water during their stationary elements, showing zero "drift" despite the pool currents.
Technical Score: 93.7723
4. Ukraine – "Illusion"
The Vibe: Ethereal and artistic.
The Performance: Ukraine focused on "Body Extension." They made the required technical elements look like a ballet. However, they lacked the raw explosive power of the top three, which kept them just off the podium pace.
Technical Score: 93.4413
5. Italy – "Intergalactic"
The Vibe: Modern, energetic, and quirky.
The Performance: Italy was the surprise of the technical round. Moving to a fast, electronic track, they showcased incredible arm-speed and a very creative lift that involved a "Human Pyramid" structure.
Technical Score: 91.1142
Brazil – "The Amazon Pulse"
The Vibe: High-energy, tribal, and patriotic.
The Performance: As the host nation, Brazil received the loudest roar of the morning. Their routine utilized heavy percussion and "clapping" sounds. Their deck work was full of Samba-inspired hip movements that transitioned into a very fast entry.
The Highlight: Their "Formation Change"—they moved from a tight circle to a wide "V" shape faster than teams ranked higher, though they lost points on vertical leg alignment during the required spins.
Technical Score: 84.7985
7. Egypt – "The Nile Majesty"
The Vibe: Ancient, geometric, and stoic.
The Performance: Egypt represented Africa with a routine inspired by hieroglyphic shapes. They focused on sharp, angular arm movements. While their vertical height was lower than the European teams, their synchronization during the required Ballet Leg Sequence was impressively steady.
The Highlight: A unique lift where the flyer stayed in a seated "Throne" position while being propelled upward.
Technical Score: 76.9904
8. Australia – "The Great Barrier Reef"
The Vibe: Fluid, athletic, and bright.
The Performance: Australia’s routine was characterized by "Traveling Speed." They used a lot of underwater torque to move across the pool during their technical elements. Their synchronization was solid, though they struggled slightly with "Splash Control" during their rapid-fire arm sequences.
The Highlight: Their entry into the water—a perfectly timed "Chain-Dive" that set a high tempo for the rest of the 132 seconds.
Technical Score: 74.0667
Team Free Routine
Russia – "The Prayer"
The Routine: A hauntingly beautiful, high-speed masterpiece.
The Highlight: Their "Submerged Circular Pattern." The eight swimmers rotated entirely underwater in a tight circle, surfacing only to perform a massive quadruple-platform lift that sent the flyer spinning into a perfect vertical entry.
Free Score: 99.1333
Total Aggregate: 196.1439 (GOLD)
2. China – "The Dragon"
The Routine: A display of pure power and architectural precision.
The Highlight: The "Flying Kick." China performed a lift where the flyer didn't just twist, but performed a series of rapid-fire leg kicks in mid-air. Their synchronization during the high-speed "eggbeater" travel was flawless.
Free Score: 97.3333
Total Aggregate: 192.9507 (SILVER)
3. Japan – "The Goddess of Amaterasu"
The Routine: An incredibly fast, rhythmic tribute to the sun goddess.
The Highlight: Their leg speed. In the final 30 seconds, Japan performed a "Bicycle-to-Vertical" sequence at nearly 160 BPM, moving their legs so fast the water appeared to be boiling around them.
Free Score: 95.4333
Total Aggregate: 189.2056 (BRONZE)
4. Ukraine – "The Illusionists"
The Routine: Focused on intricate arm-work and ethereal transitions.
The Highlight: A "Human Flower" formation that bloomed and collapsed three times in ten seconds. They were mathematically close to Japan but lacked the "Vertical Height" in their lifts to bridge the gap.
Free Score: 95.1667
Total Aggregate: 188.6080
5. Italy – "The Seasons"
The Routine: Artistic and theatrical, utilizing Vivaldi’s music.
The Highlight: A unique "Arch" lift where two swimmers were hoisted simultaneously to create a bridge over the other six.
Free Score: 92.2667
Total Aggregate: 183.3809
6. Brazil – "The Carnival"
The Routine: The loudest performance in Olympic history. The crowd sang along to every beat.
The Highlight: Their deck work—a full 10 seconds of high-energy Samba dancing before diving in. Their energy was unmatched, though their technical precision drifted in the final minute.
Free Score: 87.2000
Total Aggregate: 171.9985
7. Egypt – "The Phoenix"
The Routine: A dramatic story of rebirth.
The Highlight: Their "Wing" formation, where the swimmers used long, sweeping arm strokes to mimic a bird in flight.
Free Score: 80.2000
Total Aggregate: 157.1904
8. Australia – "The Outback"
The Routine: Athletic and clean, focusing on strong basics.
The Highlight: A series of "Rocket-Split" jumps that showed great individual power, though they struggled with the "Diamond Formation" spacing.
Free Score: 75.4333
Total Aggregate: 149.5000
The Scores as they were after the First Round
1. Russia - Vlada Chigireva, Natalia Ishchenko, Svetlana Kolesnichenko, Aleksandra Patskevich, Svetlana Romashina, Alla Shishkina, Mariia Shurochkina, Gelena Topilina, Elena Prokofyeva - 196.1439
2. China - Gu Xiao, Guo Li, Li Xiaolu, Liang Xinping, Sun Wenyan, Tang Mengni, Yin Chengxin, Zeng Zhen, Huang Xuechen - 192.9841
3. Japan - Aika Hakoyama, Yukiko Inui, Kei Marumo, Risako Mitsui, Kanami Nakamaki, Mai Nakamura, Kano Omata, Kurumi Yoshida, Aiko Hayashi - 189.2056
4. Ukraine - Lolita Ananasova, Olena Grechykhina, Daria Iushko, Oleksandra Sabada, Kateryna Sadurska, Kseniya Sydorenko, Anastasiya Savchuk, Anna Voloshyna, Olha Zolotarova - 188.6080
5. Italy - Elisa Bozzo, Beatrice Callegari, Camilla Cattaneo, Linda Cerruti, Manila Flamini, Francesca Deidda, Mariangela Perrupato, Sara Sgarzi, Costanza Ferro - 183.3809
6. Brazil - Luisa Borges, Maria Bruno, Beatriz Feres, Branca Feres, Maria Clara Lobo, Maria Eduarda Miccuci, Lorena Molinos, Lara Teixeira, Pâmela Nogueira - 171.9985
7. Egypt - Leila Abdelmoez, Samia Ahmed, Nariman Aly, Nour Elayoubi, Jomana Elmaghrabi, Dara Hassanien, Salma Negmeldin, Nada Saafan, Nehal Saafan - 155.5505
8. Australia - Bianca Hammett, Danielle Kettlewell, Nikita Pablo, Emily Rogers, Cristina Sheehan, Rose Stackpole, Amie Thompson, Deborah Tsai, Hannah Cross - 149.5000
And So After The Legs Only Rounds are concluded all 80 Swimmers from 8 Countries will be joined 24 Other Swimmers who already competed in the Duet Competition but Not on the Team Competition at all.
Argentina - Etel Sánchez & Sofia Sánchez
Austria - Anna-Maria Alexandri & Eirini-Marina Alexandri
Belarus - Iryna Limanouskaya & Veronika Yesipovich
Canada - Jacqueline Simoneau & Karine Thomas
Colombia - Estefanía Álvarez & Mónica Arango
Czech Republic - Alžběta Dufková & Soňa Bernardová
France - Margaux Chrétien & Laura Augé
Great Britain - Katie Clark & Olivia Federici
Greece - Evangelia Papazoglou & Evangelia Platanioti
Israel - Anastasia Gloushkov & Ievgeniia Tetelbaum
Kazakhstan - Alexandra Nemich & Yekaterina Nemich
Mexico - Karem Achach & Nuria Diosdado
Slovakia - Nada Daabousová & Jana Labáthová
Spain - Ona Carbonell & Gemma Mengual
Switzerland - Sophie Giger & Sascia Kraus
Ukraine - Lolita Ananasova & Anna Voloshyna
They will be with us on the Final Day which will take place on August 20th as the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre will be going at night for the big event, but first it's time for the Second Half with the Legs Only Rounds beginning with the Technical Routine (180 Seconds) begins. The rules are absolute: from the moment the music starts, the swimmers' arms must remain folded across their chests or tucked at their sides beneath the surface. Any use of hands for "sculling" (propulsion) results in an immediate 2-point deduction.
The 5 required elements must be executed using only the "Eggbeater Kick" for height and "Torque-Kicks" for rotation.
1. Russia – "The Iron Piston"
The Routine: Set to a relentless industrial techno-beat.
The Execution: Russia dominated the "Legs Only" format by utilizing a "High-Frequency Kick." While other teams bobbed slightly, the Russian legs stayed perfectly still in the air. Their Required 360 Spin was performed with such torque that it created a small whirlpool in the center of their formation.
Technical Score: 39.550
2. China – "The Red Lattice"
The Routine: A rhythmic, percussive track using traditional Chinese drums.
The Execution: China focused on "Geometric Precision." Their Required Rocket-Split element was the highlight; all 8 pairs of legs snapped open and shut in exactly 0.4 seconds. Their spacing was so perfect that from the rafters, they looked like a moving architectural drawing.
Technical Score: 39.120
3. Japan – "The Clockwork Sun"
The Routine: A 150 BPM high-speed electronic track.
The Execution: Japan’s "Leg-Speed" was the highest in the field. During the Required Combined Spin, their legs moved so fast they appeared blurred. They utilized a "Snap-Stop" technique where they would rotate at high speed and stop instantly without any "wobble" in the ankles.
Technical Score: 38.890
4. Ukraine – "The Gothic Arch"
The Routine: Dark, orchestral strings with a heavy bass pulse.
The Execution: Ukraine prioritized "Extension." Their legs were the longest in the competition, and they performed the Required Ballet-Leg Sequence with extreme pointed toes. However, they struggled slightly with traveling speed while inverted without arm assistance.
Technical Score: 38.440
5. Italy – "The Chrome Pulse"
The Routine: A sleek, "Euro-Pop" electronic arrangement.
The Execution: Italy excelled in the "Leg-Artistry" sub-category. They performed the required elements with a "swing" rhythm that was unique. Their Required Airborne Split had a beautiful "float" to it, though their vertical height was lower than the Big Three.
Technical Score: 37.980
6. Brazil – "The Samba Kick"
The Routine: A high-octane "Bateria" drum line.
The Execution: The home crowd went wild for Brazil’s rhythmic "Foot-Flicks." They incorporated actual Samba steps into their underwater treading, which gave their vertical legs a "vibrating" energy. They lost points for synchronization drift in the final 30 seconds.
Technical Score: 36.550
7. Egypt – "The Geometric Desert"
The Routine: A sharp, staccato track with flute accents.
The Execution: Egypt was very stable. They didn't take high-speed risks, which kept their lines very clean. Their Required Vertical Descent was perfectly timed, with all 8 pairs of legs disappearing at the exact same micro-second.
Technical Score: 35.100
8. Australia – "The Tidal Break"
The Routine: A fast, "surf-rock" inspired electronic track.
The Execution: Australia’s strength was "Power." They used massive leg thrusts to maintain a high "Waist-Out" position during the stationary elements. Their synchronization was solid, though their "Toe-Point" was criticized by the judges for being inconsistent.
Technical Score: 34.880
On To The Legs Only Free Routine which will decide the gold
1. Russia – "The Arachnid"
The Routine: A terrifyingly precise, high-speed masterpiece.
The Highlight: "The Multi-Legged Spin." All 8 swimmers linked their torsos underwater to form a single "organism." They performed a 10-second continuous 720-degree rotation with 16 legs extended in different angles, mimicking a giant spider spinning on the water.
Free Score: 39.880
Total Aggregate: 79.430
2. China – "The Great Wall"
The Routine: A display of impenetrable stability and power.
The Highlight: "The Moving Barrier." The swimmers formed a perfectly straight line across the pool. Using only "Side-Propulsion" kicks, they moved the entire line from the deep end to the shallow end without a single leg deviating more than a centimeter from the horizontal plane.
Free Score: 39.520
Total Aggregate: 78.640
3. Japan – "The Neon Metropolis"
The Routine: A frantic, 160 BPM tribute to Tokyo’s energy.
The Highlight: "The Spark Sequence." In the final 30 seconds, Japan performed "The Flutter-Fire"—a sequence of high-frequency ankle vibrations that created a literal wall of mist, obscuring the swimmers' bodies and leaving only the vibrating LED-lit legs visible.
Free Score: 39.310
Total Aggregate: 78.200
kraine – "The Blue Danube"
The Routine: A graceful, balletic routine that focused on vertical height.
The Highlight: "The Synchronized Descent." All 16 legs rose to maximum height (mid-thigh out of water) and performed a slow, 15-second "Screw-Down" rotation, sinking at exactly 1cm per second until only the toes remained.
Free Score: 38.990
Total Aggregate: 77.430
5. Italy – "The Venetian Mask"
The Routine: A theatrical, rhythmic routine with "stepping" patterns.
The Highlight: "The Aquatic Walk." The swimmers tilted their bodies 45 degrees underwater and performed a sequence that looked like they were walking on the surface of the water, timed perfectly to a Vivaldi remix.
Free Score: 38.450
Total Aggregate: 76.430
6. Brazil – "The Forest Canopy"
The Routine: A lush, green-lit routine celebrating the Amazon.
The Highlight: "The Swaying Reed." The 8 swimmers performed a "Pendulum" move—their legs swaying in wide, synchronized arcs from left to right, mimicking trees in a storm. The crowd's rhythmic clapping kept them perfectly in time.
Free Score: 37.800
Total Aggregate: 74.350
7. Egypt – "The Solar Boat"
The Routine: Stoic, powerful, and very linear.
The Highlight: "The Pyramid Lift." Even in a "Legs Only" format, Egypt performed a "Leg-Support" lift where 6 swimmers underwater used their legs to push 2 swimmers upward until their knees were clear of the surface.
Free Score: 36.400
Total Aggregate: 71.500
8. Australia – "The Great Southern Cross"
The Routine: An expansive routine with wide formations.
The Highlight: "The Star Formation." The 8 swimmers linked feet to form a massive star. They performed a "pulsing" move where the center of the star rose and fell using only core-driven buoyancy changes.
Free Score: 35.900
Total Aggregate: 70.780
The Final Combined Scores
1. Russia - 275.5739 (Wins Gold)
2. China - 271.5907 (Wins Silver)
3. Japan - 267.4056 (Wins Bronze)
4. Ukraine - 266.0380
5. Italy - 259.8109
6. Brazil - 246.3485
7. Egypt - 228.6904
8. Australia - 220.2800
And The Competition is now over we move on to the Day before the Closing Ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics for the Exhibition Gala which took place on August 20th as all 104 Competitors from the 24 Nations participate in this Gala on the Night Before the Closing Ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics however like the 2012 Event it will be the 2nd Exhibition Gala to have 12 Acts in this show.
The humidity of the Brazilian night hung heavy over the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre as the "Midnight Prologue" began. This was a tribute to the host nation’s heart—the Amazon.
Act I: The Birth of the Amazon – "The Deep Roots"
Act I: The Primordial River – "The 104 Roots"
The stadium is plunged into a deep, velvety darkness. To represent the mystery of the Amazon, the pool is illuminated only from within by 104 submerged emerald lanterns. From the stands, the water looks like a vast, glowing green lung.
The Soundtrack: A custom atmospheric arrangement of "Echoes of the Xingu." It begins with a single, resonant wood-drum beat (48 BPM) that vibrates through the stadium's structure.
The Look: All 104 swimmers wear matte "River Moss" green suits. Their skin is lightly dusted with a reflective silver silt that only becomes visible when they break the surface.
1. The Submerged Spiral
The act begins in total silence. All 104 swimmers are entirely underwater, holding their breath in a massive, interlocking spiral that fills the entire 50-meter pool. They are invisible except for the shadows they cast against the green lanterns.
2. The Slow-Motion Awakening
On the third drum beat, the "Guardians" (the 10 Squad Leaders, including Natalia Ishchenko and Ona Carbonell) signal the ascent.
The Movement: 104 pairs of legs break the surface in perfect unison.
The Style: This is a Legs-Only sequence. There is no splashing and no arm movement. The legs rise inch-by-inch, perfectly vertical, mimicking ancient forest roots growing toward the moon. With 208 legs extended simultaneously, the pool looks like a silver-and-green forest.
3. The "24-Nation Weave"
The spiral begins to rotate.
The Movement: Using only the "Eggbeater" kick for propulsion, the swimmers begin to drift in opposite directions.
The Technical Twist: As they pass one another, they perform the "Tethered Twist." One swimmer performs a slow 360-degree rotation while the passing swimmer hooks an ankle momentarily to guide the turn. This creates a chain reaction of movement that ripples from the center of the pool out to the edges.
4. The Primordial Sink
As the tribal chanting reaches a crescendo, the emerald lanterns begin to pulse like a heartbeat.
The Finale: Every swimmer snaps their legs into a wide "Victory V" for three seconds of stillness. On the final, heavy strike of the drum, all 104 swimmers perform a "Weightless Sink"—adjusting their buoyancy to vanish vertically into the green glow without a single ripple.
The emerald lights fade to black. For five seconds, the stadium is in total silence.
The Leadership Hierarchy
The 8 Grand Squad Leaders (The Guardians)
These legends controlled the "Major Pulses" and the overall timing of the 104-swimmer mass.
Natalia Ishchenko (Russia): The "Heart" (Center of the pool).
Huang Xuechen (China): The "Anchor" (Deep-end formation).
Ona Carbonell (Spain): The "Artistic Pulse" (Representing the 24 Duet nations).
Yukiko Inui (Japan): The "Tempo Lead" (Timing the Leg-Snaps).
Lolita Ananasova (Ukraine): The "Vertical Axis" (Alignment lead).
Gemma Mengual (Spain): The "Transition Lead."
Sun Wenyan (China): The "Power Lead."
Lara Teixeira (Brazil): The "Host Guardian"
The Neural Network Section: Svetlana Romashina (Russia), Guo Li (China), Risako Mitsui (Japan), Anna Voloshyna (Ukraine), Linda Cerruti (Italy), Jacqueline Simoneau (Canada), Anita Alvarez (United States), Margaux Chretien (France), Evangelia Platanoti (Greece) & Rose Stackpole (Australia)
Act I Choreography: Leadership in Action
The "Neural" Awakening (0:00–2:00)
The act begins in total darkness. Natalia Ishchenko performs a single leg-flick underwater, sending a vibration that the 10 Section Leaders feel. They, in turn, nudge the swimmers in their sections.
The Movement: 104 pairs of legs rise in a "Sequential Bloom." Section 1 rises first, followed by Section 2, and so on, creating a ripple effect that travels from the center to the edges of the pool like a growing forest.
The "Section Interlock" (2:00–3:30)
This is the most dangerous part of the "Legs Only" routine.
The Movement: Under the command of Ona Carbonell, the 10 Sections begin to rotate in opposite directions. Section Leaders 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 rotate clockwise, while 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 rotate counter-clockwise.
The Challenge: As the sections pass, swimmers must perform a "Blind Ankle Hook" with a member of the opposing section. Only the Section Leaders can see the alignment; the other swimmers rely entirely on the Section Leader’s whistle-pulse (emitted underwater).
The "Guardian Salute" Finale (3:30–5:00)
The music reaches its deepest bass note.
The Action: The 104 swimmers sink to knee-level. The 8 Squad Leaders remain at full-thigh height, performing a triple-rotation "Screw Spin."
The Finish: On the final beat, the 10 Section Leaders signal their groups to perform the "Weightless Sink." All 104 vanish, but the 8 Squad Leaders are the last to leave the surface, their toes pointing sharply to the moon as they disappear.
The emerald lanterns are extinguished. The leadership has successfully moved 104 bodies as one.
Act 2: The Macaw’s Flight – "Carioca Prism"
As the emerald lanterns of Act I fade, the silence is shattered by the sharp, metallic blast of a Samba whistle. The atmosphere shifts instantly from the dark, primordial forest to the vibrant, sun-drenched canopy of the Amazon.
The Soundtrack: A high-octane Samba-Batucada (132 BPM). The rhythm is driven by heavy surdo drums and high-pitched agogô bells.
The Look: The 104 swimmers have performed a "mid-water" suit adjustment. They now wear "Prism-Chrome" suits that reflect red, orange, and yellow. Their legs are fitted with thin, LED "Filament Strips" that glow in neon tropical colors.
The Leadership Strategy: The Wing Formations
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "Head of the Flock," while the 10 Section Leaders manage the "Feathers" (the 104-swimmer spread).
The "Lead Macaw": Lara Teixeira (Brazil) As the hometown hero, Lara takes the point position. She leads the massive "V-Wing" formation that spans the entire width of the pool.
The "Wing-Tip" Leaders: Natalia Ishchenko (RUS) and Huang Xuechen (CHN) They stabilize the very edges of the formation, where the centrifugal force of the rotations is highest.
The "Color-Guard" Section Leaders:
Sections 1–3 (Red): Led by Romashina (RUS).
Sections 4–7 (Yellow): Led by Voloshyna (UKR) and Alvarez (USA).
Sections 8–10 (Blue): Led by Cerruti (ITA) and Stackpole (AUS).
Act II Choreography: The Flight
1. The Explosive Breach (0:00–1:00)
Instead of the slow rise of Act I, the 104 swimmers perform a "Power Launch."
The Action: On the first drum roll, all 104 pairs of legs explode out of the water to waist-height.
The Visual: The LED strips ignite simultaneously, turning the pool into a shimmering explosion of tropical color. The "Regular" swimmers (Team) and the "Duet" specialists are perfectly interspersed to ensure maximum density of light.
2. The "Samba-Kick" Traveling (1:00–2:30)
This is a Legs-Only display of extreme cardio endurance.
The Movement: Led by Lara Teixeira, the entire flock of 104 begins to travel "sideways" across the pool.
The Technique: They use a specialized "Flick-Kick" that mimics the flapping of wings. Every four beats, the 10 Section Leaders signal a "Leg-Clap"—the swimmers snap their legs together above the surface, creating a rhythmic splashing sound that syncs perfectly with the percussion.
3. The "Caleidoscope" Whirlpool (2:30–4:00)
The formation breaks from the "V-Wing" into three concentric circles.
Outer Circle (60 Swimmers): Rotates clockwise at high speed.
Middle Circle (30 Swimmers): Rotates counter-clockwise.
Inner Circle (14 Swimmers + Squad Leaders): Remains stationary, performing vertical "Bicycle-Kicks."
The Highlight: The "Feather Shake." All 104 swimmers vibrate their ankles at maximum frequency. The LED strips on their legs create a blurred "halo" of light, making it look as though the water itself is spinning in technicolor.
4. The "Mid-Air" Transition Finale (4:00–5:00)
The music reaches a frantic crescendo.
The Action: The Section Leaders signal a "Chain-Reaction Lift." Using only leg power and core buoyancy, the outer circle swimmers submerge to push the inner circle (the 8 Squad Leaders) high into the air.
The Finish: The 8 Squad Leaders perform a final, high-speed "Helicopter Spin" with their legs before the entire 104-swimmer squad snaps into a "Flat-Lay" position on the surface, glowing like a giant tropical flower.
The Samba music ends on a sharp, echoing cymbal crash. The 104 swimmers remain floating on the surface, their colorful LED legs still glowing in the dark water.
Act 3The Rio Sunset – "Golden Horizon"
As the frantic Samba of the Macaws fades, the atmosphere shifts into a warm, lyrical embrace. This act transitions the performance from the "Legs Only" intensity into a Full Body (Regular) display of grace, specifically spotlighting the 24 Duet Specialists who joined the 80 Team members to complete the 104-swimmer ensemble.
The Soundtrack: A soulful, Bossa Nova arrangement of "The Girl from Ipanema," slowed down to a dreamy 65 BPM. It features a soft acoustic guitar and a haunting saxophone solo.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LED leg strips switch to a Soft Amber and Rose Gold. The stadium's overhead lights cast a warm, orange "sunset" glow across the water’s surface.
The Leadership: The Lyrical Wave
In this act, the 24 Duet Specialists (representing nations like Spain, Canada, France, and Greece) take the center stage, while the 80 Team Swimmers provide a living, breathing background.
The "Sunset Muse": Ona Carbonell (Spain) As one of the world's most decorated artistic swimmers, Ona leads the Duet ensemble. She stays above the surface, using her arms and torso to dictate the "flow" of the water.
The "Horizon" Section Leaders: Anita Alvarez (USA) and Jacqueline Simoneau (CAN) manage the outer perimeter, ensuring the 80 background swimmers move in a slow-motion "Tidal Wave" formation.
Act III Choreography: The Golden Hour
1. The Surface Bloom (0:00–1:30)
The 104 swimmers start in a "Flat-Lay" position from the end of Act II.
The Action: On the first note of the saxophone, the 24 Duet Specialists rise into a "Sitting Layout." They use their arms to "sculpt" the water around them, while the 80 Team Swimmers remain submerged, with only their rose-gold glowing legs visible, swaying like sea grass in a gentle tide.
2. The "Reflections" Waltz (1:30–3:00)
This is a Full Body sequence where the swimmers use both arms and legs.
The Movement: The 104 swimmers pair up. One swimmer performs a "Leg-Extension" while their partner performs a "High-Arm Arched Reach."
The Visual: Because the LED lights are mirrored in the water, the pool looks like it is filled with 208 dancers. The movement is fluid and "liquid," with no sharp stops or splashes.
3. The "Sun-Disk" Formation (3:00–4:15)
The Movement: The 104 swimmers form a massive, solid circle in the center of the pool—the "Sun."
The Leadership Cue: Natalia Ishchenko (RUS) and Ona Carbonell (ESP) meet in the very center. They perform a mirrored "Duet of Legends," their arms interlocking to form the "Core" of the sun, while the 102 other swimmers perform a slow, synchronized "Back-Layout Circle Spin."
4. The Horizon Fade (4:15–5:00)
The music thins out to a single acoustic guitar string.
The Action: The "Sun" begins to set. Starting from the outside, the swimmers perform a "Back-Dive Sink." They don't disappear all at once; they sink row-by-row, from the edges toward the center.
The Finish: The last two visible are the Squad Leaders, Ona and Natalia. They reach their arms toward each other one last time before slowly sinking beneath the surface as the Rose Gold lights fade to a dim violet.
The pool is now a deep, twilight violet. The Bossa Nova guitar fades into the sound of distant ocean waves.
Act 4: The Great Atlantic Current – "The Deep Force"
The violet twilight of Act III is suddenly pierced by sharp, cool Cobalt Blue and Arctic White lights. The atmosphere shifts from the calm of a sunset to the raw, kinetic energy of the ocean’s underwater currents. This act is a masterclass in "Drafting" and fluid movement, requiring the 104 swimmers to behave like a single body of water.
The Soundtrack: A rhythmic, driving "Deep House" track (124 BPM) with a heavy, pulsing synth bass and the sound of rushing water.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LED strips switch to a Strobe Blue. The "Matte Emerald" suits catch the white spotlights, making the swimmers look like shimmering whitecaps on a dark sea.
The Leadership: The Current Command
In this act, the 104 swimmers are divided into two massive 52-person "Currents" that must flow through and around each other at high speed.
The "Current Alpha" Leader: Huang Xuechen (China) Leading the 52 swimmers on the North side. China’s trademark "Linear Power" is used to keep the drafting line perfectly straight.
The "Current Beta" Leader: Svetlana Romashina (Russia) Leading the 52 swimmers on the South side. Her focus is on the "Fluid Transition" as the two lines intersect.
The "Vortex" Section Leaders: Linda Cerruti (Italy) and Jacqueline Simoneau (Canada) manage the "Switch Points," where swimmers from Alpha and Beta must cross paths without breaking the 124 BPM rhythm.
Act IV Choreography: The Kinetic Flow
1. The Drafting Launch (0:00–1:15)
The 104 swimmers start at the deep end, submerged in two long, vertical columns.
The Action: On the first bass drop, the columns launch forward. This is a Regular (Full Body) sequence. Using a powerful "Breaststroke-Pull" into a "Butterfly-Kick," the swimmers move in a tight line, with each swimmer’s head just inches from the feet of the person in front.
The Visual: From above, it looks like two glowing blue torpedoes racing across the 50-meter pool.
2. The "Cross-Current" Weave (1:15–2:45)
At the center of the pool, the two columns meet.
The Movement: The 10 Section Leaders execute the "Zipper Merge." The swimmers from Current Alpha and Current Beta pass through each other’s gaps.
The Technical Twist: As they pass, they perform a "Leg-Sweep"—a horizontal 360-degree kick that creates a circular splash, mimicking the white foam of crashing waves. The timing must be frame-perfect to avoid collisions.
3. The "Abyssal Vortex" (2:45–4:00)
The two lines merge into one giant, clockwise-rotating circle that fills the entire pool.
The Movement: The 104 swimmers perform the "Legs-Only Turbine." They submerge their torsos and use their legs to create a massive "Hydro-Spin."
The Leadership Cue: Huang and Svetlana move to the center of the vortex. They perform a "High-Vertical Twist," rising to their waistlines while the other 102 swimmers create the spinning "Blue Current" around them.
4. The Deep Sink (4:00–5:00)
The music reaches a heavy, industrial crescendo before suddenly cutting to a muffled, "underwater" reverb.
The Action: The 104 swimmers perform a "Rapid Descent." Instead of sinking slowly, they use a "Reverse-Rocket" move, pulling themselves downward with a single, sharp arm-stroke.
The Finish: The blue LEDs pulse one last time at the very bottom of the pool, creating a glowing "Grid" on the floor before extinguishing into total darkness.
The stadium is silent. The "Current" has passed, leaving only the echo of the deep bass.
Act 5: The Amazon Rain – "The Percussive Storm"
After the deep-sea intensity of the Atlantic Current, the mood shifts to the surface. This act is the most rhythmically demanding of the Gala, focusing on "Hydro-Percussion"—the art of using the water itself as an instrument. It is a Regular (Full Body) act where the swimmers' hands and legs work in a staccato, machine-like synchronization.
The Soundtrack: No melodic instruments. The "music" is a layer of 104-swimmer rhythmic splashing, backed by a sharp, high-tempo metronome and a deep "Surdo" drum that enters halfway through (140 BPM).
The Look: The stadium lights turn a Crisp, Electric White. The swimmers’ LED strips on their legs and now on their wrists switch to a Cool Silver. Every splash is highlighted by the overhead spotlights, looking like shattered diamonds.
The Leadership: The Rain Conductors
In this act, the 10 Section Leaders act as "Drum Majors," each controlling a specific rhythmic "layer" of the storm.
The "Thunder" Leader: Sun Wenyan (China) She leads Sections 1 and 2 in the heavy, deep "Palm-Slaps" on the water surface.
The "Drizzle" Leader: Yukiko Inui (Japan) She leads Sections 9 and 10 in rapid-fire "Finger-Flicks" that create a fine mist.
The "Lightning" Section Leaders: Anita Alvarez (USA) and Evangelia Platanioti (Greece) manage the "Visual Strikes"—sudden, high-vertical leg snaps that happen on the off-beats.
Act V Choreography: The Storm
1. The First Drops (0:00–1:15)
The 104 swimmers are spread out in a perfect Grid Formation, covering the entire surface of the pool.
The Action: The act begins in total silence. One by one, Section Leaders initiate a "Finger-Flick." Starting from the center and moving outward, a tiny "plink" sound travels through the pool.
The Visual: Small circles of silver light ripple across the grid as the 104 swimmers move only their fingertips.
2. The Downpour (1:15–2:45)
The tempo increases. The 104 swimmers transition into "Hand-to-Surface" percussion.
The Movement: Swimmers perform a sequence of "Slap, Scoop, and Throw." They slap the water with flat palms, scoop it upward, and then throw it into the air in a synchronized arc.
The Technical Twist: Each of the 10 sections is on a different "Phase." Section 1 slaps on beat 1, Section 2 on beat 2, etc. This creates a "Galloping" wall of sound that echoes throughout the Maria Lenk stadium.
3. The Monsoon (2:45–4:00)
The "Surdo" drum enters. The 104 swimmers now incorporate their legs.
The Movement: "The Splash-Kick." While the arms continue the rhythmic slapping, the legs perform a "Flutter-Snap" just below the surface. This sends a constant spray of water 3 feet into the air.
The Visual: The 104 swimmers are nearly obscured by a wall of white water and silver mist, illuminated by their flashing wrist and leg LEDs.
4. The Thunder-Strike Finale (4:00–5:00)
The drumming reaches a frantic, tribal peak.
The Action: All 104 swimmers perform a "Power-Breach." They launch their entire upper bodies out of the water, perform a single, deafening "Mid-Air Clap," and then drop back into the water with a massive, coordinated "Cannonball" splash.
The Finish: As the water settles, the 104 swimmers are seen floating in a "Treading-Vertical" position, their silver LEDs glowing steadily through the settling mist.
The metronome stops. The only sound is the water dripping from the swimmers' suits back into the pool.
Act 6: The Jaguar’s Shadow – "Predatory Silence"
The electric white lights of the storm are replaced by a dim, predatory amber and shadow-black environment. This act is the most "athletic-stealth" portion of the Gala, focusing on low-profile, high-tension movements. It utilizes a Legs-Only foundation with Full Body "lunge" accents to mimic the movements of the Amazon’s apex predator.
The Soundtrack: A tense, cinematic arrangement featuring a low-frequency heartbeat (60 BPM) and the occasional "hiss" of a synthesized shaker.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to a Glowing Predator-Orange. They wear "Shadow-Black" specialized suits that make their torsos nearly invisible in the dim light, leaving only their glowing legs and eyes (highlighted by reflective goggles) visible.
The Leadership: The Pride of the Amazon
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "Alpha Predators," stalking the perimeter, while the 10 Section Leaders manage the "Moving Shadows."
The Alpha Guardians (Squad Leaders)
Natalia Ishchenko & Svetlana Romashina (Russia): The "Eyes in the Dark." They stay in the center, performing mirrored, slow-motion vertical leg rotations that act as the axis for the entire pool.
Huang Xuechen & Sun Wenyan (China): The "Strike Leads." They oversee the explosive "lunge" elements.
Ona Carbonell (Spain): The "Movement Lead," ensuring the stealthy "sideways" travel of the 104-swimmer pack.
Lara Teixeira (Brazil): The "Scent Lead," controlling the rhythmic "pulsing" of the section formations.
Act VI Choreography: The Stalking
1. The Stealth Entry (0:00–1:30)
The 104 swimmers are divided into 10 "Prowling Groups."
The Action: Using a specialized "Submerged Eggbeater," the swimmers move across the pool without creating a single ripple on the surface. They keep their heads just above the water line, chins submerged.
The Visual: 104 pairs of orange-glowing legs are visible beneath the surface, moving like a school of piranhas or the silent paws of a jaguar.
2. The "Jaguar Lunge" (1:30–3:00)
This is the "Power" sequence of the act, led by the China and Russia Squad Leaders.
The Movement: On a sudden, sharp "hiss" in the music, the 10 Section Leaders signal their groups to perform a "Surface Breach." * The Action: The swimmers explode out of the water to their chests, clawing the air with their hands in a predatory "Rake" motion, before immediately snapping back into a silent, underwater "Legs-Only" glide.
The Technical Twist: This happens in a "Round-Robin" style. Section 1 lunges, then Section 2, then Section 3, creating the illusion of a single predator leaping across the pool.
3. The Shadow-Twist (3:00–4:15)
The music drops to a near-silent vibration.
The Movement: All 104 swimmers perform a "Reverse Vertical." Their heads go underwater and their legs rise into a high-tension "Split."
The Leadership Cue: The 8 Squad Leaders perform a "Diamond-Twist"—four leaders rotate clockwise while the other four rotate counter-clockwise in the center, their orange LEDs creating a mesmerizing, predatory "Eye" in the middle of the pool.
4. The Vanishing (4:15–5:00)
The heartbeat in the soundtrack slows and then stops.
The Action: The 10 Section Leaders lead their groups in a "Spiral-Sink." The 104 swimmers descend not vertically, but in a corkscrew motion, pulling the water down with them.
The Finish: The 8 Squad Leaders are the last to remain. They perform a slow "Claw-Closing" motion with their hands above their heads as they sink, their orange LEDs fading out one by one until the pool is a dark, silent void.
The silence is absolute. The Jaguar has returned to the shadows.
Act 7: The Amazon Lily – "The Floating Bloom"
After the dark tension of the Jaguar, the stadium is flooded with Soft Pink and Floral White lighting. The water's surface is kept perfectly still to act as a mirror for this act. This is a Regular (Full Body) routine that emphasizes "Floating Architecture"—where the 104 swimmers use each other’s bodies to create a massive, living flower.
The Soundtrack: A sweeping, orchestral harp melody backed by soft woodwinds (72 BPM). It feels ethereal and light, like a flower opening at dawn.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to Pearl White. They wear suits with "Petal-Cut" detailing in shades of magenta and cream.
The Leadership: The Floral Architects
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders form the "Stigma" (the center of the flower), while the 10 Section Leaders manage the "Petals."
The Core (Squad Leaders)
Natalia Ishchenko & Svetlana Romashina (Russia): Positioned at the very center, back-to-back. They act as the "Pivot," holding the central formation steady.
Ona Carbonell (Spain) & Huang Xuechen (China): Managing the "Inner Petal" ring (Sections 1–4).
Yukiko Inui (Japan) & Sun Wenyan (China): Managing the "Outer Petal" ring (Sections 5–10).
Act VII Choreography: The Blooming
1. The Bud Formation (0:00–1:45)
The 104 swimmers are clustered in a massive, dense circle in the center of the pool.
The Action: They begin in a "Compact Tuck"—knees to chests, heads down.
The Bloom: On the first harp glissando, the 8 Squad Leaders rise slowly into a vertical position. Following their lead, the 10 Sections "unfold" outward in a ripple. The swimmers transition from a tuck to a Back-Layout, extending their arms and legs to touch the person next to them.
2. The "Petal" Rotation (1:45–3:15)
The formation now covers 70% of the pool's surface area.
The Movement: The flower begins to spin. Under the command of Section Leaders 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9, the odd-numbered sections perform a "Leg-Drive" to rotate the outer ring clockwise.
The Visual: The 104-swimmer "Lily" rotates with incredible smoothness. Because they are in a Back-Layout, their faces are toward the sky, and their white LEDs create a glowing, spinning halo on the water.
3. The "Expanding Bloom" (3:15–4:30)
This is the "Full Body" highlight of the act.
The Action: The 8 Squad Leaders perform a "Center-Lift." They are pushed upward by the swimmers beneath them until they are standing on the shoulders of the "Inner Petal" ring.
The Coordination: As the leaders rise, the 104 swimmers perform a Synchronized Arm Wave. They lift their arms in a "V" shape and slowly lower them, mimicking the breathing of a flower.
4. The Petal Fall (4:30–5:00)
The music slows to a final, delicate harp note.
The Finale: The flower "wilts" in slow motion. Starting from the outermost ring, the swimmers perform a "Soft-Sink." They don't disappear vertically; they roll backward into the water, one by one, like petals falling off a stem.
The Finish: The 8 Squad Leaders in the center are the last to remain, holding a "Lotus-Hand" position above their heads as they slowly submerge into the pink-lit depths.
The pink lights fade. The water is littered with small, floating LED "Petals" (floats released by the swimmers).
Act 8: The Butterfly Migration
The Butterfly Migration – "The Mariposa Cloud"
As the "petals" of the lily drift away, the soft pink light is replaced by a Vibrant Turquoise and Electric Violet. This act represents the massive seasonal migrations across the Amazon basin. It is a high-speed, high-cardio Regular (Full Body) act that focuses on "Wing-Span" synchronization and "Flutter" dynamics.
The Soundtrack: A fast-paced, uplifting orchestral track with rapid violin arpeggios (148 BPM). It feels airy, light, and full of forward momentum.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to a Shifting Iridescent Cyan. They wear ultra-thin, "Wing-Film" arm attachments that catch the water and create a translucent, shimmering effect when they move their arms.
The Leadership: The Flight Path
To manage the 104-swimmer "Cloud," the Squad Leaders utilize a "Lead-Bird" formation, while the Section Leaders maintain the "Wing-Width."
The Lead Flock (Squad Leaders)
Ona Carbonell (Spain) & Natalia Ishchenko (Russia): The "Apex" leaders. They swim at the very front of the formation, dictating the rapid-fire arm tempo.
Lara Teixeira (Brazil) & Yukiko Inui (Japan): Positioned on the far left and right "Wing-Tips." Their job is to ensure the 104-swimmer spread doesn't collapse during high-speed turns.
Huang Xuechen (China) & Lolita Ananasova (Ukraine): The "Engine." They stay in the center-back, driving the power of the formation's travel.
Act VIII Choreography: The Migration
1. The Great Takeoff (0:00–1:15)
The 104 swimmers are submerged at the shallow end, lined up in 10 tight rows.
The Action: On the first violin burst, the swimmers perform a "Butterfly-Breach." They launch their upper bodies out of the water, using a massive "Butterfly Stroke" pull.
The Visual: 104 pairs of "wings" (arms with film attachments) hit the water simultaneously. The iridescent cyan LEDs create a "Flash-Effect" that makes the entire pool look like it’s covered in shimmering wings.
2. The "Flutter" Draft (1:15–2:45)
The "Cloud" moves from the shallow end to the deep end.
The Movement: Swimmers use a high-frequency "Flutter-Kick" (Legs-Only propulsion) while performing rhythmic, "Partial Wing-Flaps" with their arms above the surface.
The Coordination: The 10 Section Leaders ensure that the rows are "Staggered." As Row 1 lifts their wings, Row 2 lowers theirs. This creates a "Wave-Motion" across the 104 swimmers that looks like a single, massive wing beating.
3. The "Thermal" Spiral (2:45–4:00)
The formation reaches the center and begins to "Spiral Upward" to catch an imaginary air current.
The Movement: The 104 swimmers form a massive, spinning funnel. The outer sections (8, 9, 10) stay low in a "Back-Layout," while the inner sections (1, 2, 3) and the Squad Leaders perform a "Vertical-Rise."
The Technical Twist: The swimmers in the center are lifted by the legs of the swimmers below them, creating a "Human Tower of Wings" that rises nearly 4 feet out of the water.
4. The Distant Horizon (4:00–5:00)
The violins fade into a single, high-pitched note.
The Finale: The "Cloud" breaks apart into 104 individual "Butterflies." Each swimmer performs a "Spinning-Dive," rotating their body as they submerge.
The Finish: The 8 Squad Leaders perform a final, synchronized "Wing-Clap" above their heads before vanishing. The last thing visible is the "Wing-Film" shimmering on the surface for a split second before the iridescent lights fade to black.
The pool is empty. The "Migration" has moved on to the next horizon.
Act 9: The Electric Eel – "High Voltage"
The atmosphere shifts from the airy grace of the butterflies to something subterranean and dangerous. The stadium is plunged into a Deep Indigo darkness, and the music transitions into a sharp, minimalist "Industrial Glitch" track (128 BPM). This act is a Legs-Only masterclass in "Nervous Energy"—requiring the 104 swimmers to move with sudden, twitchy, and high-speed precision.
The Soundtrack: Staccato electronic pulses, the sound of static electricity, and a deep, vibrating sub-bass.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to a Piercing Neon White. They wear "Slick-Black" high-compression suits that make their legs look like long, muscular eels. The lights are programmed to "strobe" in sync with their leg movements.
The Leadership: The Power Grid
To manage the high-speed "Stutter" movements, the Squad Leaders act as the "Circuit Breakers," controlling the flow of the 104-swimmer "Current."
The Circuit Masters (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (Japan) & Sun Wenyan (China): The "Frequency Leads." Japan’s leg-speed is utilized to set the "Pulse" for the entire pool.
Svetlana Romashina (Russia): The "Conductor." She coordinates the "Strobe" transitions between the 10 sections.
Lara Teixeira (Brazil) & Anna Voloshyna (Ukraine): The "Voltage Leads," managing the explosive "Zig-Zag" travel across the pool.
Act IX Choreography: The Discharge
1. The Static Pulse (0:00–1:15)
The 104 swimmers are submerged in a long, "Serpentine" line that snakes through the entire 50-meter pool.
The Action: The act begins in total darkness. On the first electronic "click," Section 1’s white LEDs strobe for one second. Then Section 2, then Section 3.
The Movement: The swimmers perform a "Micro-Vibration" with their ankles. From the stands, it looks like a 104-segment electric eel is "powering up" as the light travels from the tail to the head.
2. The "Zig-Zag" Current (1:15–2:45)
The music explodes into a high-voltage beat.
The Movement: The 104-swimmer "Eel" breaks into 10 smaller "Currents." Led by the Section Leaders, they perform a high-speed "Sideways-Dart."
The Technique: Using only their core and legs, the swimmers lunge 2 meters to the left, stop instantly, then 2 meters to the right. The Squad Leaders stay in the center, performing "High-Frequency Vertical Twists" that look like spinning turbines.
3. The "Voltage Spike" (2:45–4:00)
This is the Legs-Only highlight of the entire Gala.
The Action: The 104 swimmers form a "Circuit" (a tight circle). They submerge their heads and extend their legs into a "High-Vertical."
The Visual: On every 4th beat, the swimmers perform a "Power-Snap." They snap their legs together with such force that it creates a "pop" sound on the surface. Simultaneously, their white LEDs flash at maximum brightness, creating a "Blinding Strobe" effect that mimics a massive electrical discharge.
4. The Blackout (4:00–5:00)
The music reaches a chaotic, overdriven peak before a simulated "Power Failure."
The Finale: The 104 swimmers perform a "Spiral-Descent." They spin at high speed as they sink, their white LEDs fading into a "dim red" glow as they reach the bottom of the pool.
The Finish: A final, single "Snap" sounds from the center of the pool (Ishchenko’s final move), and then every light in the stadium and the pool is cut to black.
Total darkness. The "Eel" has retreated to the depths, leaving the crowd in stunned silence.
Act 10: The River Spirits – "The Encantados"
Following the high-voltage "blackout" of the Electric Eel, the atmosphere transforms into a haunting, supernatural realm. This act is inspired by the Encantados—the mythical shapeshifting spirits of the Amazon. It is a Regular (Full Body) act that emphasizes "Weightless Levitation" and fluid, ghost-like transitions.
The Soundtrack: A mystical, airy arrangement of pan-flutes and ethereal vocal echoes (60 BPM). The music sounds like it is drifting through a fog.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to a Soft Ghostly Blue and Pale Violet. For the first time, each swimmer carries a Waterproof LED Orb (held in the palm) that glows with a pulsing, warm "will-o'-the-wisp" light.
The Leadership: The Spirit Guides
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "High Priests," while the 10 Section Leaders coordinate the complex "Orb Hand-offs."
The High Priests (Squad Leaders)
Natalia Ishchenko (Russia) & Ona Carbonell (Spain): They lead the "Mirror Ritual" in the center, their orbs moving in perfect, hypnotic symmetry.
Gemma Mengual (Spain) & Lolita Ananasova (Ukraine): They manage the "Spirit Gates"—two lines of swimmers that the other sections must pass through.
Lara Teixeira (Brazil): The "Narrator" of the movement, setting the pace for the slow-motion breathing of the formation.
Act X Choreography: The Ghostly Drift
1. The Rising Mist (0:00–1:30)
The 104 swimmers start at the bottom of the pool.
The Action: They ascend in a "Slow-Motion Float." Instead of swimming, they use a "Negative Buoyancy" technique to drift upward.
The Visual: 104 small, glowing orbs rise through the dark water like bubbles of light. As the swimmers’ heads break the surface, they remain perfectly still, their orbs held just above the water line.
2. The "Will-o'-the-Wisp" Weave (1:30–3:00)
This is a complex Full Body coordination piece.
The Movement: The 104 swimmers begin to move in "Ethereal Pairs." One swimmer performs a slow "Back-Layout" while passing their orb to their partner, who is performing a "Vertical Rise."
The Technical Twist: The orbs must never touch the water. The swimmers use "Sculling" with one hand while the other hand gracefully maneuvers the light. From the stands, it looks like 104 fireflies dancing over a violet lake.
3. The "Spirit Circle" (3:00–4:15)
The 104 swimmers form a massive, triple-layered ring.
The Action: They interlock their arms (Regular formation) but keep their orbs held toward the center.
The Leadership Cue: On a high-pitched flute note, the 8 Squad Leaders in the very center perform a "Levitation Lift." They are raised out of the water to their mid-thighs, holding their orbs high toward the moon.
The Visual: The outer 96 swimmers perform a "Slow-Sink" while keeping their arms raised, creating the illusion of a glowing, translucent funnel of light.
4. The Vanishing Fog (4:15–5:00)
The music thins out to a single, fading echo.
The Finale: One by one, the swimmers "extinguish" their orbs by pulling them underwater.
The Finish: As the orbs go dark, the swimmers perform a silent "Reverse-Vertical Sink." The very last light to disappear is Natalia Ishchenko’s orb, which she holds aloft until her fingertips submerge.
The pool returns to a deep, silent violet. The "Spirits" have retreated into the mist.
Act #11: The Great Confluence – "The Turbine of Nations"
The mystical fog of the Spirits is swept away by a sudden, driving Deep-End Bass and Industrial Brass. This act represents the meeting of the world’s great rivers into one unstoppable force. It is the technical climax of the Gala, utilizing a Hybrid Discipline—maximum power in the legs to sustain complex, high-speed patterns in the upper body.
The Soundtrack: A high-intensity, cinematic percussion track (155 BPM) featuring heavy metal drums and a soaring orchestral theme.
The Look: All 104 swimmers’ LEDs switch to a Brilliant Gold. The stadium spotlights rotate in a "Searchlight" pattern, creating a feeling of massive machinery in motion.
The Leadership: The Engine Command
With 104 swimmers moving at 155 BPM, the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "Bearings" of the turbine, while the 10 Section Leaders manage the "Torque."
The Engine Core (Squad Leaders)
Huang Xuechen & Sun Wenyan (China): The "Precision Leads." They occupy the innermost circle, maintaining the incredibly tight rotation speed that the rest of the pool follows.
Natalia Ishchenko & Svetlana Romashina (Russia): The "Alignment Leads," ensuring the 10 "spokes" of the turbine stay perfectly straight.
Yukiko Inui (Japan) & Lolita Ananasova (Ukraine): The "RPM Leads," setting the rapid-fire leg-tempo.
Lara Teixeira (Brazil) & Ona Carbonell (Spain): The "Visual Leads," managing the transition into the final formation.
Act XI Choreography: The Turbine
1. The Hub Ignition (0:00–1:30)
The 104 swimmers are arranged in 10 "Spokes" radiating from the center of the pool.
The Action: They begin in a Vertical-Tread. On the first bass drop, the center "Hub" (the Squad Leaders) begins to spin.
The Ripple: The rotation travels down the spokes. Within 30 seconds, the entire 104-swimmer "Wheel" is spinning at high speed.
The Visual: 208 golden-glowing arms are performing a "Power-Scull," throwing sheets of water outward due to the centrifugal force.
2. The "Gear-Shift" (1:30–3:00)
This is a Legs-Only transition of extreme difficulty.
The Movement: While the turbine is spinning, the 10 Section Leaders command their groups to switch from a "Full Body" scull to a "Submerged Head" vertical.
The Technique: Only the legs are visible, performing a "Bicycle-Drive" to maintain the rotation. From the stands, it looks like a golden mechanical gear is grinding through the water.
3. The "Wall of Water" (3:00–4:15)
The turbine begins to "Contract" and "Expand."
The Action: On the command of Huang Xuechen, the spokes pull into the center and then explode outward to the edges of the pool.
The Visual: As they expand, the 104 swimmers perform a "Power-Kick Splash." This creates a 5-foot-high circular wall of water that travels from the center of the pool to the perimeter, soaking the front-row spectators.
4. The Confluence Finale (4:15–5:00)
The music reaches a deafening, triumphant peak.
The Finale: The 104 swimmers break the turbine and rush toward the center to form a "Pyramid Base." * The Finish: The 8 Squad Leaders are catapulted upward by the 96 swimmers below. They perform a simultaneous "360-degree Aerial Twist" before crashing back into the center of the pool.
The Hold: Every swimmer instantly resurfaces in a "Treading-Vertical" with their arms raised in a "V," golden LEDs at 100% brightness.
The music cuts to a single, resonant gong. The 104 swimmers are perfectly still, their golden lights reflecting off the now-turbulent water.
Act #12: Carioca Unity
Part 1: Act XII: The Grand Finale – "Carioca Unity"
The stadium at the Maria Lenk Aquatics Centre ignites for the final time. This closing act is a two-part masterclass in coordination, transitioning from a high-energy Full Body celebration to a technically grueling Legs-Only display of mastery, concluding with a first-of-its-kind "Inverted Farewell."
Part 1: The Carnival Shield (Full Body)
Theme: A celebration of the 104 swimmers’ journey.
The Soundtrack: High-tempo "Samba de Enredo" (145 BPM).
The Look: All LEDs flash in a "Caleidoscope" of Green, Yellow, Blue, and Gold.
The Part 1 Leadership (The Power Guard)
Squad Leaders: Natalia Ishchenko (RUS) and Huang Xuechen (CHN). They anchor the center of the formation, managing the "Power-Lifts."
Section Leaders: Linda Cerruti (ITA) and Jacqueline Simoneau (CAN). They manage the outer petal rotations and the high-speed arm-work.
The Choreography
The Human Flag: The 104 swimmers form a massive rectangle, using their arms and torsos to tilt and sway, creating the optical illusion of a waving Brazilian flag across the pool surface.
The Aerial Launch: 10 coordinated "Tosses" occur simultaneously. The 24 Duet Specialists are catapulted into the air by the 80 Team Swimmers, performing mid-air rotations before crashing back into a synchronized "Power-Scull."
Part 2: The Vertical Pulse (Legs Only)
Theme: The ultimate display of lower-body strength and technical discipline.
The Soundtrack: A raw, rhythmic "Batucada" drum solo (150 BPM).
The Look: All upper-body LEDs go dark. Only the Neon Gold leg strips remain lit.
The Part 2 Leadership (The Technical Guard)
Squad Leaders: Yukiko Inui (JPN) and Svetlana Romashina (RUS). They set the blistering pace for the leg-snaps and vertical rotations.
Section Leaders: Anna Voloshyna (UKR) and Anita Alvarez (USA). They ensure that all 104 pairs of legs maintain identical height and tension.
The Choreography
The Piston: The 10 Sections create a "Machine" effect. Section 1’s legs sink to the ankles while Section 2’s legs rise to the thighs, creating a rhythmic, golden wave of limbs moving across the pool.
The Screw-Spin: The 8 Squad Leaders move to the center. While the other 96 swimmers hold a static vertical "V," the leaders perform a 720-degree "Screw Spin" at maximum speed, their gold LEDs creating a blur of light.
The Goodbye Wave: "The Inverted Farewell"
Theme: A final goodbye where the faces are hidden, and the legs tell the story.
The Farewell Leadership (The Wave Masters)
Squad Leaders: Lara Teixeira (BRA) and Ona Carbonell (ESP). Positioning themselves at the center, they lead the "Pulse" of the final wave.
Section Leaders: Evangelia Platanioti (GRE) and Rose Stackpole (AUS). They manage the "Edge Symmetry" for the 104-swimmer spread.
The Choreography
The Vertical Salute: All 104 swimmers perform a simultaneous head-down "Power-Vertical." Their legs rise to their maximum height, locked in perfect, unmoving stillness for five seconds as the drums stop.
The "Leg-Wave" Ripple: Instead of a traditional hand wave, the swimmers use their feet. Starting from Lara Teixeira in the center, each swimmer performs a soft, rhythmic "Flex-and-Point" with their toes. This ripple travels outward to the 104-swimmer perimeter like a pulse.
The Final Flutter: The music transitions to a single, soft chime. All 104 swimmers perform a high-frequency "Ankle-Flutter," creating a gentle, shimmering mist of water around their golden LED strips.
The Weighted Sink: In total unison, the 104 pairs of legs begin to descend. They do not bend; they remain perfectly vertical, sinking inch-by-inch until the very last golden toes disappear beneath the surface.
The pool is still. The Rio 2016 cycle is complete.
And Now the Final One when the USA only competed in duet before we go back to 2024 as they competed in team for the First Time Since 2008 as we head to Tokyo
However the 2020 Summer Olympics in Artistic Swimming took place in 2021 following the Games' postponement from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But For The First Time the Duet Competition expanded to include a Legs Only Technical and Legs Only Free Routine in addition to the Regular Counterparts, so here's how it went.
Phase 1: The Regular Duet Technical
The Discipline: In the Technical routine, pairs must perform five required elements in a specific order. Precision is the only metric.
The Standout (ROC): Romashina and Kolesnichenko performed to "Kalinka." Their technical elements, especially the 360 degree ascending spin, were executed with such high-water clearance that their hips never touched the surface.
The Challenge (China): Huang and Sun countered with a routine focused on "The Power of the Dragon." Their synchronization on the required Technical Joined Movement was measured at a near-perfect 0.05-second variance.
The Battle for 3rd: Ukraine narrowly edged out Japan here, as Marta Fiedina’s vertical height on the required elements was slightly higher than Yukiko Inui’s.
Phase 2: The Regular Duet Free
The Discipline: No required elements. This is pure artistry, high-speed hybrids, and massive lifts.
The "Spider" (ROC): The world watched in awe as the Russian duo mimicked the jagged, terrifying movements of arachnids. This was the routine where they spent a record-breaking percentage of the time underwater.
The "Snake" (China): A fluid, mesmerizing routine. They used their arms to create "Serpentine" illusions, wrapping around each other in a display of incredible flexibility.
The "Secret Garden" (Ukraine): A lyrical masterpiece. This was the performance that finally broke the "Glass Ceiling" for Ukraine, scoring 3rd place heading to the second half of the competition which is Legs Only.
Phase 3: The Legs-Only Technical Duet
The Discipline: The most grueling test in the sport. Swimmers must keep their heads submerged for the entire duration of the routine (approx. 2:20). They are judged on verticality, ankle tension, and "Blind Synchronization."
ROC: The "Staccato" Drill: They performed 10 consecutive "Rapid-Fire" vertical leg-snaps without a single breath, maintaining a perfectly straight line.
Japan: The "Kyoto Tower": Yukiko Inui showed why she is the queen of technicality. Her legs remained at a constant, unmoving height for the first 45 seconds of the routine.
China: The "Lotus Split": 180 degree split held during a slow-motion 720 degree rotation.
Phase 4: The Legs-Only Free Duet
The Discipline: This is where the 22 nations showcased their creativity. Without the use of arms or faces, they had to tell a story through the movement of their legs and feet alone.
The Standout Routines
Austria (The Alexandri Triplets): Anna-Maria and Eirini-Marina performed a routine called "The Clockwork." Their legs moved like the gears of a watch, with "Crank-Kicks" and "Pendulum-Swings" that perfectly synced with a ticking metronome soundtrack.
Canada (Holzner & Simoneau): Their routine, "Tidal Force," used "Sculling-Legs" to create a literal whirlpool in the center of the pool, pulling the water down as they performed vertical twists.
Spain (Carbonell & Tió): Called "Flamenco in the Dark." They used their feet to "Clap" against each other above the surface, creating a percussive rhythm that replaced the music's beat.
The Combined Duet Heroics
By the end of these four phases, the athletes were physically exhausted. Svetlana Romashina emerged with the highest aggregate score, but the world was most shocked by Ukraine, who proved that their leg-work was the most "modern" and high-tempo in the world.
Gold - ROC (392.71)
Silver - China (384.05)
Bronze - Ukraine (379.26)
And So We Move On to The Team Competition: In the Technical and as in real life, the battle for the top spot was a clash of titans between the ROC and China.
1. ROC: "The Quad" / "Encounters" - 97.2979
2. China: "The Dragon" - 96.2310
3. Ukraine: "Swan Lake" - 94.2685
4. Japan: "The Festival" - 93.3773
5. Italy: "Superheroes" - 91.1027
6. Canada: "Triumphant" - 91.4992
7. Spain: "The Guitar" - 90.3780
8. Egypt: "Ancient Spirit" - 77.9147
The Highlight Performances
1. The Dominance: ROC (97.2979)
The ROC team entered the deck with an intimidating presence. Their routine, set to high-tempo percussive music, was a masterclass in "High Water."
The Required Element: Their Cadence Action (the sequence where all 8 swimmers perform a different movement in rapid succession) was so fast the human eye could barely track it.
The Leadership: Svetlana Romashina led from the center, ensuring the "Spoke" formation was laser-straight. Their synchronization was rewarded with nearly perfect scores in execution.
2. The Precision: China (96.2310)
China’s "Dragon" routine was the most physically powerful of the night.
The Highlight: They focused on Verticality. During the required Leg-Twist element, all 8 swimmers maintained the exact same height above the water, creating the illusion of a single, solid machine.
The Lead: Huang Xuechen and Sun Wenyan brought their Duet chemistry to the team, anchoring the formation's stability.
3. The Resilience: Ukraine (94.2685)
Ukraine faced a heart-stopping moment when their music for "Swan Lake" malfunctioned at the start.
The Save: Led by Marta Fiedina, the team remained calm, restarted, and delivered a routine that was both lyrical and technically aggressive. This performance solidified their 3rd-place position, keeping them ahead of the host nation, Japan.
Onto Team Free
The "Parade of the Planets" – ROC (98.4667)
The ROC team delivered a performance that felt otherworldly.
The High Point: Their opening acrobatics were terrifyingly high. They performed a "Triple-Stack" lift where the flyer was launched nearly 15 feet into the air, performing a perfect tuck-and-twist.
The Technique: Led by Romashina, the team moved as a single organism. During their final hybrid—a 45-second sequence of high-speed leg movements—they didn't lose a centimeter of height.
2. The "Warriors of the Shore" – China (96.7000)
China responded with a routine of incredible martial-arts-inspired power.
The Highlight: Their routine focused on "Leg Strength." They performed a series of "Vertical-Rocket" launches, where 4 swimmers would shoot out of the water to their mid-thighs simultaneously.
The Synergy: Huang Xuechen anchored the center, maintaining a "Diamond" formation that was so symmetrical it looked like a digital mirror effect.
3. The "Swan Lake" Evolution – Ukraine (95.1333)
Ukraine secured their spot on the historic podium with a modern take on the classic ballet.
The Highlight: Their "Wing-Work." Using their arms to mimic the fluttering of swan wings while performing high-speed "Eggbeater" travel, they covered the entire 50-meter pool in record time.
And So The Full Body Phase came to a close the standings were as follows
1. ROC - Vlada Chigireva, Marina Goliadkina, Svetlana Kolesnichenko, Polina Komar, Alexandra Patskevich, Svetlana Romashina, Alla Shishkina, Maria Shurochkina - 196.0979 (98.8000 in Free)
2. China - Feng Yu, Guo Li, Huang Xuechen, Liang Xinping, Sun Wenyan, Wang Qianyi, Xiao Yanning, Yin Chengxin - 193.5310 (97.3000 in Free)
3. Ukraine - Maryna Aleksiiva, Vladyslava Aleksiiva, Marta Fiedina, Kateryna Reznik, Anastasiya Savchuk, Alina Shynkarenko, Kseniya Sydorenko, Yelyzaveta Yakhno - 190.3018 (96.0333 in Free)
4. Japan - Juka Fukumura, Yukiko Inui, Moeka Kijima, Okina Kyogoku, Mayu Tsukamoto, Akane Yanagisawa, Mashiro Yasunaga, Megumu Yoshida - 188.3106 (94.9333 in Free)
5. Italy - Beatrice Callegari, Domiziana Cavanna, Linda Cerruti, Francesca Deidda, Costanza Di Camillo, Costanza Ferro, Gemma Galli, Enrica Piccoli - 184.1372 (92.8000 in Free)
6. Canada - Emily Armstrong, Rosalie Boissonneault, Andrée-Anne Côté, Camille Fiola-Dion, Claudia Holzner, Audrey Joly, Halle Pratt, Jacqueline Simoneau - 184.0325 (92.5333 in Free)
7. Spain - Ona Carbonell, Berta Ferreras, Meritxell Mas, Alisa Ozhogina, Paula Ramírez, Sara Saldaña, Iris Tió, Blanca Toledano - 181.9113 (91.5333 in Free)
8. Egypt - Laila Ali, Nora Azmy, Hanna Hiekal, Maryam Maghraby, Farida Radwan, Nehal Saafan, Shahd Samer, Jayda Sharaf - 157.9147 (80.000 in Free)
But when the Competition Ends they will join by those Duets from the Non-Team Countries Participating for the Exhibition Gala
Austria - Anna-Maria Alexandri & Eirini Alexaxndri
Belarus - Vasilina Khandoshka & Daria Kulagina
Canada - Claudia Holzner & Jacqueline Simoneau
Colombia - Estefania Alvarez & Monica Arango
France - Charlotte Tremble & Laura Tremble
Great Britain - Kate Shortman & Isabelle Thorpe
Greece - Evangelia Platanioti & Evangelia Papazoglou
Israel - Eden Blecher & Shelly Bobritsky
Kazakhstan - Alexandra Nemich & Yekaterina Nemich
Liechentenstein - Lara Mechnig & Marluce Schierscher
Mexico - Nuria Diosdado & Joana Jiménez
Netherlands - Bregje de Brouwer & Noortje de Brouwer
South Africa - Clarissa Johnston & Laura Strugnell
Spain - Alisa Ozhogina & Iris Tió
United States - Anita Alvarez & Lindi Schroeder
Legs Only Technical: In this session, the swimmers must remain head-down for the full duration. The 5 required technical elements are woven into these new thematic narratives.
1. Egypt - "The Weaver’s Loom": Their legs mimic the rhythmic, crossing motions of ancient linen weaving, with sharp "Thread-Snaps" (Technical Element 1). - 79.40
2. Canada - "Boreal Aurora": A focus on shimmering, fluid "Flutter-Sculls" that move across the pool like the shifting curtains of the Northern Lights. - 92.40
3. Spain - "The Salvador Dalí Clock": Inspired by surrealism, their legs perform "Melting" slow-motion rotations and distorted angles that defy traditional symmetry. - 91.50
4. Italy - "The Venetian Glassblower": Their legs move in expanding and contracting circular patterns, mimicking the blowing and shaping of molten glass. - 92.10
5. Japan - "Kintsugi (Golden Repair)": The legs perform jagged, "cracked" movements that suddenly snap together into perfect, high-vertical "gold" lines (Technical Element 5). - 96.10
6. Ukraine - "The Iron Pulse": A departure from their usual grace, this theme uses heavy, industrial "Hammer-Kicks" and high-torque spins to reflect the strength of a modern city. - 94.80
7. China - "The Terracotta Battalion": 8 pairs of legs move in absolute, stone-still synchronization, performing rigid, military-grade thrusts with zero surface splash. - 95.95
8. ROC - "The Gravity Well": A theme exploring the absence of weight. Their legs move in slow, agonizingly controlled arcs that look like they are being pulled by an invisible planet. - 97.80
Legs Only Free: With the cumulative standings tighter than ever, the competition moves into the Team Legs-Only Free Routine. Unlike the Technical round, there are no required elements; however, the teams must remain head-down for the entire 3 minute and 30 second duration. This is the ultimate test of lung capacity, creative lower-body storytelling, and "blind" spatial awareness.
1. Egypt: "The Desert Wind" - Their legs perform soft, "Shifting-Sand" movements, using slow-motion leg sways that suddenly accelerate into sharp "Sandstorm" spins. - 90.50 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 158.80)
2. Spain: "The Flamenco Pulse" - Purely percussive. All 8 swimmers use their feet to "Stomp" the water surface in rhythmic sync, creating a splash-based drum beat. - 79.40 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 182.30)
3. Canada: "The Deep Glacial Shift" - Heavy, powerful "Slow-Motion Grinds." Their legs move with the weight of shifting ice, emphasizing massive muscle tension and slow vertical descents. - 92.50 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 184.90)
4. Italy: "The Roman Forge" - Sharp, angular "Iron-Clash" movements. The legs snap together like hammers hitting an anvil, creating a metallic-rhythm visual. - 91.30 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 183.60)
5. Ukraine: "The Cyber-Matrix" - A digital-inspired routine where the legs move in non-human, "Binary" angles—perfect 90-degree bends and 180-degree splits that shift on every half-beat. - 95.10 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 190.20)
6. Japan: "The Electronic Origami" - The legs "Fold" and "Unfold" in increasingly complex patterns, mimicking the geometric perfection of paper art. Their UV-strips create a glowing neon-grid on the water. - 96.20 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 191.10)
7. China: "The Yin-Yang Current" - A masterclass in opposition. Four swimmers rotate clockwise while the other four rotate counter-clockwise in a tight "Double-Helix" formation. - 95.90 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 192.35)
8. ROC: "The Cosmic Void" - A routine about the absence of gravity. Their legs perform "Floating Verticals"—they seem to hover just above the surface without any visible propulsion, defying physics. - 98.60 (Overall 2nd Half Total: 196.45)
Now If We Can combine the 2nd half with the 1st Half (Regular) scores, let's see the Final Results
1. ROC - 392.21 (Won Gold)
2. China - 385.28 (Won Silver)
3. Ukraine - 379.60 (Won Bronze)
4. Japan - 379.21
5. Canada - 368.93
6. Italy - 367.50
7. Spain - 364.21
8. Egypt - 316.71
However after the Competition ended on August 6, 2021 with about no fans in attendance, The Exhibition Gala went on the Following Day with about no fans in attendance just like the one that started on August 1st with the Duet Competitions but this one takes place on August 7, 2021 in which the show reduces to 11 acts instead of 12.
Act 1: The Digital Neural Network
On The Second to last day of the 2020 Summer Olympics which was delayed to 2021, The lights at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre began to darken leaving a grid of overhead lasers that project a glowing blue "Circuit Board" across the surface of the pool. For the first time in Olympic history, all 104 swimmers from 22 nations enter the water simultaneously for a single, unified opening number.
The Soundtrack: A high-energy remix of traditional Taiko drumming and "Glitch-Hop" electronic beats (130 BPM).
The Look: Every swimmer wears a Fiber-Optic Cap and LED Wristbands. The 22 nations are color-coded: the 8 main teams in "Cyber-Blue," and the 14 Duet-only nations in "Neon Sakura-Pink."
The Leadership: The System Overlords
To coordinate a 104-swimmer "Neural Network," the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "Processors," while the Section Leaders manage the data-flow of the formation.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Positioned at the exact center of the pool, managing the "Sync-Pulse."
Yukiko Inui (JPN) & Marta Fiedina (UKR): Positioned at the North and South poles of the formation.
Lara Teixeira (BRA) & Ona Carbonell (ESP): (Returning as honored veterans/leaders) Managing the East and West perimeters.
Opening Number Choreography: "Geometric Circuitry"
1. The Data Stream (0:00–1:15)
The Action: 104 swimmers line up in two massive 52-person rows along the long edges of the pool.
The Visual: On the first bass drop, the swimmers perform a "Falling-Domino" Surface Dive. As each swimmer submerges, their LED wristbands change from Blue to Pink.
The Result: From the stands, it looks like a "Pulse of Light" traveling at high speed from one end of the pool to the other, mimicking data moving through a fiber-optic cable.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Neural Node" (1:15–2:30)
The Formation: All 104 swimmers move to the center to form a massive, triple-layered circle.
The Hybrid: The 14 Duet-only nations (28 swimmers) form the innermost ring. They perform high-speed Full Body spins. The 8 core teams (64 swimmers) form the middle ring, and the 12 remaining specialists (12 swimmers) form the outer ring.
The "Motherboard" Lift: In a feat of incredible strength, the outer 76 swimmers perform a collective Tread-Lift, raising the inner 28 swimmers (the Duet Specialists) out of the water to their waists.
The Visual: The inner ring creates a spinning "Rose" of light, while the outer rings create a pulsing blue "CPU" frame.
3. The Submerged Grid (Legs Only) (2:30–3:45)
The Shift: The music drops to a rhythmic, heavy electronic pulse. All 104 swimmers vanish underwater.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs break the surface in a perfect 10x10 grid (with the remaining 4 at the corners).
The "Binary" Wave: The legs perform a "Binary Pulse." One column of 10 legs rises as the adjacent column sinks.
The Visual: The pool looks like a digital equalizer or a 3D bar graph made of glowing neon limbs.
4. The "System Reboot" Finale (3:45–4:30)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers explode outward into a starburst formation, covering the entire 50-meter pool.
The Finish: On the final Taiko drum strike, all 104 swimmers perform a "Back-Layout Splash," hitting the water with their arms and legs simultaneously to create a massive white-water cloud.
The End: As the splash settles, the overhead lasers trace the "Tokyo 2020" logo across the 104 floating bodies as the "Neural Network" comes online.
Act 2: "The Rising Sun Ritual"
Following the high-energy pulse of the "Digital Neural Network," the atmosphere shifts to a reverent, cinematic tribute to the host nation. The blue lasers fade, replaced by a single, massive Crimson Projection that transforms the center of the pool into a shimmering red circle.
The Soundtrack: A majestic arrangement of Taiko drums combined with the haunting vocals of the "Song of the Ancients" (from the NieR soundtrack), reflecting Tokyo's blend of ancient soul and futuristic gaming culture.
The Look: The 104 swimmers' fiber-optic suits switch to a Static White, while the 8 Squad Leaders in the center glow in Vibrant Crimson.
The Leadership: The Sun Core
This act requires the "Acrobatic Specialists" to handle the massive centrifugal forces of the central formation.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (Japan): The central anchor. She remains stationary at the "true center" of the sun, maintaining a vertical position that the entire 104-swimmer mass orbits around.
Svetlana Romashina & Svetlana Kolesnichenko (ROC): Positioned at the "Outer Ring" of the sun, managing the speed of the rotation.
Huang Xuechen (China) & Sun Wenyan (China): Leading the "Spokes" that radiate outward to the pool edges.
Act 2 Choreography: "The Solar Turbine"
1. The Birth of Light (0:00–1:30)
The Action: 96 swimmers are submerged in a wide "Grid" formation. In the center, the 8 Squad Leaders perform a simultaneous "Rocket Split"—launching 4 feet out of the water into a perfect 180 degree split.
The Visual: As they descend, the red projection hits the water they displace, making it look like the sun is "bleeding" light into the rest of the pool.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Turbine" (Full Body) (1:30–3:00)
The Movement: The 104 swimmers link arms to form 8 massive "Spokes" (13 swimmers per spoke) radiating from Yukiko Inui at the center.
The Rotation: Using a high-power "Bicycle-Kick," the entire 104-swimmer wheel begins to spin.
The Hybrid: As they spin, every second swimmer performs a "Back-Layout" while their neighbor performs a "Vertical Rise." * The Visual: From above, the white-clad swimmers create the illusion of a spinning, mechanical white gear with a burning red heart.
3. The "Solar Flare" (Legs Only) (3:00–4:15)
The Shift: The music reaches a percussive peak. All 104 swimmers vanish.
The Action: The "Spokes" break apart. 104 pairs of legs break the surface in a "Circular Wave." Starting from the center, each ring of legs performs a "Snap-to-Split" in sequence.
The Visual: It looks like a ripple of light traveling outward from the sun, mimicking a solar flare expanding across the water.
4. The Grand Eclipse Finale (4:15–5:00)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers rush toward the center, creating a dense, multi-layered "Island."
The Finish: The 24 Duet Specialists are lifted by the 80 Team Swimmers. They form a "Human Tower" in the center, their crimson LEDs reaching toward the rafters.
The End: On the final drum strike, the crimson projection expands to cover the entire pool, and all 104 swimmers perform a silent, synchronized "Reverse Dive" into the red water.
The stadium is bathed in red light as the 104 swimmers remain submerged in a final, respectful "Zen" hold.
Act 3:" The Origami Flight"
After the fiery intensity of the "Rising Sun Ritual," the pool transitions into a state of serene, white minimalism. The stadium lights are cut, and UV blacklights illuminate the water. The 104 swimmers’ fiber-optic suits switch to a shimmering pearl-white, creating the illusion of 104 pieces of paper floating on a black lake.
This act is inspired by the Senbazuru (1,000 paper cranes), the Japanese symbol of peace, healing, and the granting of a wish.
The Leadership: The Master Folders
This act focuses on "Joint-Articulation"—the ability to bend limbs into sharp, geometric angles to mimic the folds of paper.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (Japan) & Megumu Yoshida (Japan): As the host leaders, they set the "Origami Line," ensuring the angles of every swimmer's limbs are mathematically precise.
Marta Fiedina (Ukraine): Leading the "Flight Pattern," coordinating the movement of the swimmers as they travel across the pool.
Svetlana Romashina (ROC): Managing the "Stability Core," keeping the formation tight as the "cranes" take flight.
Act 3 Choreography: "The Folding Flight"
1. The First Fold (0:00–1:30)
The Action: The 104 swimmers are arranged in a massive "Diamond Grid." They begin in a Back-Layout position. On a sharp violin pluck, they simultaneously perform a "Snap-to-Pike."
The Visual: 104 bodies "fold" in half at the waist, their white LEDs reflecting off the surface like a fleet of paper boats.
The Hybrid: They transition into a "Bent-Knee Vertical," where one leg is perfectly straight and the other is bent at a 90 degree angle, mimicking the sharp beak of a crane.
2. The 104-Crane "V-Formation" (Full Body) (1:30–3:00)
The Movement: The 104 swimmers interlock in a massive "V-Shape" that spans the entire 50-meter pool.
The Action: They perform a synchronized "Arm-Wing Sweep." While treading water (Eggbeater), they use their arms to perform long, slow, elegant strokes that break the water surface in perfect unison.
The Visual: The "V" travels from the deep end to the shallow end. From the stands, it looks like a giant flock of paper cranes migrating across a night sky.
3. The "Flutter of 1,000 Wishes" (Legs Only) (3:00–4:15)
The Shift: The music slows to a single, haunting flute melody. All 104 swimmers submerge their upper bodies.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs rise in a Vertical "V" Split.
The Technique: Instead of a traditional wave, the swimmers perform a "Toe-Flutter." 1,000 toes vibrate just above the water line.
The Visual: The UV lights catch the vibrating water droplets, creating a shimmering mist that looks like the "dust" from a thousand paper wings.
4. The Ascension Finale (4:15–5:00)
The Finale: The 10 Section Leaders lead their groups to the center to form a "Circular Nest."
The Finish: On the final note, the 24 Duet Specialists are lifted into a "High-Cradle." They extend their arms and one leg into a "Diving Crane" pose.
The End: The pearl-white LEDs slowly fade to a soft gold. The 104 swimmers perform a final, slow-motion "Sinking Fold," disappearing into the depths like a wish being released into the universe.
A single white paper crane is projected onto the center of the pool, glowing in the darkness.
Act 4: The Great Wave
The serene white light of the "Origami Flight" is suddenly overtaken by a deep, Prussian Blue glow. This act is a tribute to Katsushika Hokusai’s legendary woodblock print, The Great Wave off Kanagawa. The 104 swimmers use their collective power to recreate the "claws" of the ocean and the distant, stoic silence of Mount Fuji.
The Soundtrack: A cinematic orchestral swell that mimics the sound of a rising tide, featuring deep cellos and sudden, crashing percussion.
The Look: The fiber-optic suits switch to Deep Navy with white "froth" accents on the wrists and ankles.
The Leadership: The Wave Anchors
This act requires massive vertical strength and perfect timing to simulate the rolling motion of the sea.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Acting as the "Mount Fuji" center. They remain perfectly still in a high-vertical hold at the very back of the formation, representing the unmoving mountain.
Yukiko Inui (JPN) & Marta Fiedina (UKR): The "Wave Crests." They lead the two massive arcs of swimmers that will "break" over the center of the pool.
Section Leaders: Positioned at the base of the wave to manage the "Current" (the rolling movement of the swimmers).
Act 4 Choreography: "Hokusai’s Motion"
1. The Rising Swell (0:00–1:30)
The Action: The 104 swimmers are arranged in a tiered, concave formation. The back rows (the Mountain) are high and still, while the front rows (the Sea) perform a Slow-Motion Body Roll.
The Visual: From the sidelines, it looks like the water level is physically rising. The deep navy LEDs create a dark, menacing ocean surface.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Crest" (Full Body) (1:30–3:00)
The Movement: Led by Yukiko Inui, the 80 Team Swimmers form a massive, curved wall. They interlock arms and perform a "Power-Ascent", rising to their mid-thighs in a staggered sequence.
The "Claws": The 24 Duet Specialists are positioned at the very top of the wave. On the musical peak, they extend their arms and fingers in sharp, angular "Claw" positions, mimicking the foam at the top of Hokusai’s wave.
The Visual: For three seconds, a 50-meter-wide "Human Wave" towers over the pool, frozen in a moment of maximum tension.
3. The "Crashing Foam" (Legs Only) (3:00–4:15)
The Shift: The percussion crashes. The wave "breaks."
The Action: All 104 swimmers perform a simultaneous "Front-Dive" toward the center. Immediately, 104 pairs of legs break the surface in a chaotic, high-speed Flutter-Kick.
The Visual: The navy blue light is replaced by a blizzard of white spray. The "Legs-Only" flutter creates so much white water that the swimmers are completely hidden, leaving only a churning, foamy sea.
4. The Return to Calm (4:15–5:00)
The Finale: The music fades to a single, low cello note. The "foam" subsides.
The Finish: The 104 swimmers resurface in a Back-Layout, radiating outward from the central "Mount Fuji" (Romashina and Huang).
The End: The navy lights fade to a soft morning blue. The swimmers perform a final "Weighted Sink," descending vertically until only their white-tipped "foam" wristbands are visible, before they too vanish.
Act 5: "The Neon Metropolis"
The atmosphere shifts from the natural power of the ocean to the electric pulse of modern Tokyo. The pool transforms into a high-contrast Cyberpunk Playground, reflecting the kinetic energy of Shibuya Crossing at midnight.
The Soundtrack: A fast-paced (145 BPM) mix of Future Funk and "Hyper-Pop," featuring glitchy synthesizers and the mechanical sounds of a train station (crosswalk beeps and subway chimes).
The Look: The fiber-optic suits explode into a riot of Electric Yellow, Hot Pink, and Cyan. Each of the 22 nations is assigned a specific "Neon Frequency."
The Leadership: The Traffic Controllers
This act is a masterclass in High-Speed Scrambling—the 104 swimmers must move through each other without colliding, mimicking the world’s busiest intersection.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (JPN) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Acting as the "Master Signalers." They stand on the deck (for the first time) on opposite corners of the pool, using glowing batons to "direct" the 104-swimmer traffic.
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Marta Fiedina (UKR): Leading the "Primary Pedestrian Streams" from the deep and shallow ends.
Act 5 Choreography: "Shibuya Scramble"
1. The "Green Light" Snap (0:00–1:15)
The Action: The 104 swimmers are divided into four 26-person groups, one at each corner of the pool. They are in a Submerged Hold.
The Pulse: The "crosswalk beep" sounds. On the first electronic beat, all 104 swimmers surface simultaneously in a High-Speed Eggbeater, moving toward the center of the pool at a sprint.
The Visual: From above, the neon-colored suits create a "Scramble" effect, where lines of pink, yellow, and blue criss-cross in a dizzying display of synchronized chaos.
2. The "Binary Intersection" (Full Body) (1:15–2:45)
The Movement: As the 104 swimmers reach the center, they don't stop. They perform a "Slip-Through" Maneuver, weaving between each other's gaps with centimeters of clearance.
The Hybrid: During the crossover, every swimmer performs a "180-Degree Snap-Spin" followed by a "Double-Arm Thrust".
The Visual: The pool looks like a high-exposure photograph of Shibuya, with streaks of neon light moving in every direction simultaneously.
3. The "Subway Grid" (Legs Only) (2:45–4:00)
The Shift: The music shifts to a deep, mechanical bassline. All 104 swimmers vanish.
The Action: They arrange themselves into 10 parallel rows. Only their legs break the surface, but they are held at Horizontal Angles, mimicking the tracks of the Tokyo Metro.
The "Train Pulse": Starting from the left, each swimmer snaps their legs to a Vertical position in a rapid-fire sequence.
The Visual: It looks like a "Neon Train" of light zipping across the pool at 100 mph.
4. The "Final Countdown" Finale (4:00–4:45)
The Finale: The music reaches a frantic peak. The 104 swimmers form a massive, solid rectangle in the center of the pool.
The Finish: On the final "beeping" countdown, the 24 Duet Specialists are launched in 8 simultaneous "Acrobatic Tosses" around the perimeter of the rectangle.
The End: All lights—stadium and fiber-optic—instantly cut to black. A single, giant "00" (the end of the crosswalk timer) is projected onto the still water.
The stadium remains in total darkness for three seconds as the crowd roars in response to the frantic energy of the metropolis.
Act 6: "The Sakura Blizzard"
As the neon buzz of the metropolis fades, the arena is plunged into a soft, warm Cherry Blossom Pink. This act marks the transition from the digital future back to the organic soul of Japan. The water is no longer a "circuit board" or a "metropolis," but a sacred pond reflecting the peak of spring.
The Soundtrack: A breathtaking fusion of a traditional Koto (Japanese harp) and a modern lo-fi hip-hop beat. The tempo is a gentle 85 BPM, allowing the 104 swimmers to focus on slow, liquid transitions.
The Look: The fiber-optic suits switch to a gradient of Pink and White. The light "pulses" slowly, mimicking the breathing of a living forest.
The Leadership: The Keepers of the Petals
This act focuses on Buoyancy Control and Softness, requiring the leaders to maintain a "feather-light" presence on the water.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (JPN): The "Sakura Heart." She remains in a Double-Leg Vertical at the center, her legs moving in a slow, winding "S-curve" to mimic a falling petal.
Marta Fiedina (UKR) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Leading the two massive "Swirl" formations that orbit the center.
Svetlana Romashina (ROC): Managing the "Outer Perimeter," ensuring the 104-swimmer circle expands and contracts like a blooming flower.
Act 6 Choreography: "The Eternal Bloom"
1. The First Petal (0:00–1:30)
The Action: The 104 swimmers are clustered in a tight, dense circle in the center. On the first Koto pluck, the 24 Duet Specialists perform a slow "Petal-Unfold"—leaning backward from the center until they are in a Floating Layout.
The Visual: From above, it looks like a single, massive cherry blossom opening its petals. The pink LEDs brighten as the "flower" expands.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Whirlpool" (Full Body) (1:30–3:00)
The Movement: The 104 swimmers form three concentric rings. The rings begin to rotate in opposite directions (inner ring clockwise, middle counter-clockwise, outer clockwise).
The Hybrid: While rotating, every swimmer performs a "Bent-Knee Surface Arch." They use their arms to create small, rhythmic ripples in the water.
The Visual: The pool becomes a swirling vortex of pink light, simulating a "Sakura Blizzard" (Hanafubuki) where thousands of petals are caught in a spring wind.
3. The "Drifting Blossom" (Legs Only) (3:00–4:15)
The Shift: The beat drops out, leaving only the sound of a lone bamboo flute. All 104 swimmers submerge.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs break the surface, but instead of vertical, they are held at 45-degree angles, swaying side-to-side.
The Technique: The swimmers use a "soft-scull" with their feet, creating a gentle "fluttering" motion without any splashing.
The Visual: The surface of the pool looks like it is covered in drifting petals, floating aimlessly on a calm stream.
4. The "Season's End" Finale (4:15–5:00)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers move to the edges of the pool, leaving the center empty.
The Finish: On the final note, they all perform a "Silent Sink," pulling their knees to their chests as they descend, so the water surface is left perfectly still.
The End: A single, real cherry blossom petal is dropped from the rafters into the center of the pool, highlighted by a single white spotlight.
The arena is silent, the pink glow fading into a warm, sunset amber.
Act #7: "The Spirit of the Fan"
Act 7 serves as the "Golden Bridge" between the cultural tributes and the final technical showcases. This act is inspired by Sensu (the Japanese folding fan), symbolizing the expansion of life and the radiating energy of the 22 nations gathered in Tokyo.
The Soundtrack: A driving, cinematic "Epic-Orchestral" track with heavy brass and traditional Shamisen (three-stringed lute) solos. The tempo is a commanding 110 BPM.
The Look: The fiber-optic suits switch to Burnished Gold and Deep Indigo. The gold light "fans out" across the swimmers' bodies, creating a metallic shimmer.
The Leadership: The Pivot Points
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders act as the "Pin" (the pivot point) of 8 massive folding fans.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Positioned at the shallow end and deep end. They are the "Primary Pivots" for the two largest formations.
Yukiko Inui (JPN) & Marta Fiedina (UKR): Managing the "Side-Fans" that bridge the gap between the two main groups.
The Duet Specialists: Acting as the "Ribs" of the fans, providing the structural lines that the 104-swimmer formation depends on.
Act 7 Choreography: "The Radiating Sensu"
1. The Opening Fold (0:00–1:15)
The Action: All 104 swimmers start in a single, dense vertical line down the center of the pool.
The Visual: On the first shamisen strike, the line "breaks." Swimmers peel off to the left and right in a staggered back-layout.
The Result: It looks like a giant, 104-person golden fan being snapped open across the water.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Fan Rotation" (Full Body) (1:15–2:45)
The Movement: The 104 swimmers form 8 separate "Small Fans" (13 swimmers each).
The Hybrid: The "Pivot" swimmer (Squad Leader) stays stationary, while the other 12 swimmers in their group perform a Traveling Eggbeater Circle.
The Visual: From above, the pool is filled with 8 golden fans spinning simultaneously. As they spin, they interlock, their "edges" passing through one another with perfect timing.
3. The "Pleated Edge" (Legs Only) (2:45–4:00)
The Shift: The brass section of the orchestra swells. All 104 swimmers submerge their upper bodies.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs rise in a "Bent-Knee Vertical" (Technical Position).
The Technique: The legs are arranged in a zig-zag pattern. On every beat, the swimmers switch which leg is bent and which is straight.
The Visual: The "zigzag" of 104 legs creates the illusion of the pleated, folded paper of a giant fan. The gold LEDs flash in a "chase" pattern from left to right.
4. The "Golden Radiance" Finale (4:00–4:30)
The Finale: The 8 small fans merge into one giant, 104-swimmer arc that covers the entire width of the pool.
The Finish: On the final orchestral crash, the 24 Duet Specialists (the "Ribs") perform a "Rocket-Launch", shooting out of the water to their waists while the 80 team swimmers remain in a high-vertical hold behind them.
The End: The indigo lights cut out, leaving only 104 golden points of light. The swimmers perform a simultaneous "Sword-Sink" (descending perfectly straight) until the water is still.
The golden glow lingers under the surface, casting a shimmering light upward through the water.
Act 8: "The Great Calligraphy"
The warm amber glow of the fans dissolves into a crisp, stark Ink-White stadium light. The pool surface is transformed into a 50-meter-long sheet of Washi paper. This act is a tribute to Shodo (Japanese calligraphy), where the 104 swimmers become the "Ink" and the "Brush," writing a message of global connection across the water.
The Soundtrack: A minimalist, percussive track featuring the sharp "clack" of woodblocks and the deep, resonant ring of a Zen temple bell. The rhythm is dictated by the "Brush Strokes"—slow and sweeping, followed by sudden, aggressive snaps.
The Look: The 104 swimmers switch their fiber-optic suits to a Deep Obsidian Black. When they move, they leave a trail of Charcoal-Grey bubbles behind them, mimicking ink flowing onto paper.
The Leadership: The Calligraphers
In Shodo, the "Stroke Order" is sacred. The leaders must guide the 104-person mass to "draw" the character in the correct sequence.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (JPN): The "Tip of the Brush." She leads the primary line of swimmers that forms the most complex strokes.
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): Managing the "Pressure"—they lead the density of the formation, making the "ink" look thicker or thinner.
Marta Fiedina (UKR): The "Splash Lead," coordinating the moment the brush "lifts" from the paper.
Act 8 Choreography: "Writing 'Kizuna' (Bonds)"
The 104 swimmers will write the Kanji 絆 (Kizuna), which represents the "Invisible Ties" that bind people together.
1. The First Stroke (0:00–1:15)
The Action: 30 swimmers form a tight vertical line in the upper-left quadrant (the "Thread" radical). They perform a Weighted Sink, disappearing as they "draw" the line downward.
The Visual: From above, a black line appears to be "painted" onto the white pool floor as the swimmers submerge in a trailing sequence.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Connected Flow" (Full Body) (1:15–2:45)
The Movement: As the character becomes more complex, all 104 swimmers join in. They move in long, sweeping "S" curves across the pool to form the right side of the Kanji.
The Technique: They use a "Slow-Motion Eggbeater" with their arms tucked, moving with a fluid, liquid grace that mimics the Gyousho (semi-cursive) style of calligraphy.
The Visual: The 104 obsidian suits create a thick, bold stroke that seems to vibrate with energy as it is "written" across the 50-meter span.
3. The "Splatter and Lift" (Legs Only) (2:45–4:00)
The Shift: The temple bell rings. All 104 swimmers vanish.
The Action: At the terminal point of each stroke, a group of legs explodes out of the water in a "Barracuda Airborne Split".
The Visual: It looks like the "Ink" is splashing off the paper as the brush lifts. The white-water spray against the obsidian-black legs creates a high-contrast "Ink-on-Paper" effect.
4. The "Zen Circle" Finale (4:00–4:45)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers rush to the perimeter, forming a perfect Enso (Zen Circle) around the now-completed Kanji of Kizuna.
The Finish: On the final woodblock strike, the swimmers perform a "Back-Layout Splash" inward, toward the center.
The End: The black LEDs cut to white. The only thing remaining is the 104-swimmer circle, perfectly still, holding the shape of the mountain and the bond.
The overhead screens show the 104-swimmer formation from a bird's-eye view, revealing the perfect, massive Kanji for 'Bonds' etched in the water.
Act 9: "The Clockwork Gears"
The stadium lights dim to a sharp, metallic Steel Blue. The pool surface is projected with a massive, transparent overlay of a Grand Seiko movement—the gears and springs of a luxury watch, symbols of Tokyo’s obsession with high-precision engineering and the "Art of Time."
The Soundtrack: A rhythmic, industrial "Clockwork-Step." It features the ticking of a metronome, the winding of a mainspring, and a deep, mechanical bass that pulses at exactly 60 BPM (one beat per second).
The Look: The 104 swimmers’ fiber-optic suits switch to Matte Silver and Chrome. Every joint (shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles) is highlighted with a Pulsing Ruby Red light, mimicking the "jewels" in a watch movement.
The Leadership: The Master Watchmakers
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders are the "Prime Movers"—the gears that drive the rest of the 104-swimmer mechanism.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC): The "Escapement." She remains at the 12 o'clock position, controlling the tempo of the entire pool.
Yukiko Inui (JPN) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): The "Hour and Minute Hands." They lead two 52-person lines that sweep across the pool like the hands of a clock.
Marta Fiedina (UKR): The "Second Hand," leading a high-speed "Pulse" of 12 swimmers that circles the perimeter every 60 seconds.
Act 9 Choreography: "The Precision Machine"
1. The Winding (0:00–1:00)
The Action: The 104 swimmers are arranged in four interlocking circles. They start in a Submerged Pike.
The Movement: On every second (every "tick"), they perform a 30 degree Rotation. It is not a fluid movement, but a sharp, mechanical "click."
The Visual: From above, the pool looks like four massive silver gears being wound up. The ruby-red "jewel" joints flash in sync with the mechanical clicks.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Pendulum" (Full Body) (1:00–2:30)
The Formation: The swimmers link into two massive lines, anchored at the center by Yukiko Inui.
The Hybrid: They perform a "Pendulum-Swing". While in a vertical position, the entire 50-meter formation sways left and right. At the peak of each swing, they perform a simultaneous Leg-Thrust.
The Visual: A giant, shimmering silver pendulum sweeps across the pool, its edges "ticking" against the pool walls.
3. The "Gear-Tooth" Hybrid (Legs Only) (2:30–3:45)
The Shift: The music strips back to a raw, heavy ticking. All 104 swimmers vanish.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs break the surface in four "Interlocking Gear" circles.
The Technique: The legs are held in a "Bent-Knee Vertical" (Element 1 style). As the circles rotate, the "bent knees" of one circle pass perfectly between the "bent knees" of the adjacent circle.
The Visual: A 104-leg mechanical transmission. If one swimmer is off by a fraction of a second, the "gears" would collide, but the synchronization is surgical.
4. The "Chime" Finale (3:45–4:30)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers rush to the center to form a single, dense "Tower Gear."
The Finish: On the "12th Strike" of the clock, the 24 Duet Specialists are launched in a High-Cradle Toss, their silver suits catching the spotlights like sparks from a machine.
The End: The mechanical music stops. A single, pure "Ding" of a bell rings out. The 104 swimmers perform a simultaneous "Dead-Drop"—sinking vertically without a single ripple.
The stadium screen displays the time: 10:40 PM—representing the 104 swimmers who have just conquered the "Clockwork" of Tokyo.
Act #10: "The Spirit of the Kitsune"
As the "Clockwork" precision of the previous act fades, the steel-blue light is replaced by an eerie, flickering Fox-Fire Orange (Kitsunebi). This act delves into Japanese mythology, celebrating the Kitsune—the shapeshifting fox spirit. The 104 swimmers move from mechanical tools back to the supernatural, mimicking the playful, dangerous, and divine nature of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
The Soundtrack: A mischievous, high-tempo track featuring "yapping" flute trills, rhythmic hand-claps (Kashiwade), and a deep, sliding bass.
The Look: The fiber-optic suits switch to Fiery Red and White. The swimmers wear waterproof Kitsune Masks pushed to the sides of their heads, and their LEDs are programmed to flicker like candlelight.
The Leadership: The Celestial Foxes
In this act, the 8 Squad Leaders represent the "Kyuubi" (Nine-Tailed) leaders, possessing the most tails and the greatest magic.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders)
Yukiko Inui (JPN): The "Golden Tenko." Positioned at the center, she leads the "Shapeshift" transitions.
Svetlana Romashina (ROC) & Huang Xuechen (CHN): The "Twin Messengers." They lead two separate 52-person packs that shadow each other’s movements perfectly.
The Duet Specialists: Acting as the "Fox-Fire Sparks," darting between the larger formations to create "mischievous" disruptions.
Act 10 Choreography: "The Nine-Tailed Illusion"
1. The Hidden Shadow (0:00–1:15)
The Action: 104 swimmers are arranged in a dense, irregular "Forest" formation. They move in a low Eggbeater, keeping their heads just above the water while their masks flicker in the dark.
The Movement: They perform sudden "Head-Snaps" and "Mask-Hides," where they submerge and reappear in a different spot.
The Visual: The pool looks alive with a hundred restless spirits, their "eyes" (LEDs) appearing and disappearing like fireflies in a dark wood.
2. The 104-Swimmer "Tail-Fan" (Full Body) (1:15–2:45)
The Formation: The 104 swimmers form 8 separate groups. Within each group, 1 leader stands in a Vertical position, while 9 swimmers fan out behind them in a Back-Layout.
The Hybrid: The 9 swimmers perform a "Tail-Wave"—using their legs and arms to create a fluttering, multi-layered "tail" that fans out from the leader.
The Visual: From above, the pool is filled with 8 massive, 104-person-scale Nine-Tailed Foxes. The "tails" ripple in sync with the flute trills.
3. The "Fire-Tail" Hybrid (Legs Only) (2:45–4:00)
The Shift: The music reaches a frantic peak of hand-claps. All 104 swimmers vanish.
The Action: 104 pairs of legs break the surface in a "Flame" pattern. They perform a "Twist-and-Flick" movement, where the ankles rotate 360 degrees while the toes perform a rapid flutter.
The Technique: The LEDs on the ankles are programmed to turn Bright Orange, while the rest of the body is dark.
The Visual: The water surface looks like it is literally on fire with "Kitsunebi" (fox-fire). 104 orange flames dance across the black water.
4. The "Mischief’s End" Finale (4:00–4:30)
The Finale: The 104 swimmers rush to the center to form a single, towering "Spirit Column."
The Finish: On the final "Yelp" of the flute, the 24 Duet Specialists are launched in 8 simultaneous "Acrobatic Twists", mimicking the kitsune leaping into the spirit realm.
The End: Every swimmer performs a "Splash-Dive" outward, creating a massive circular ripple. As the water settles, the red and white lights fade into a single, blinding Rainbow Glow.
The stadium lights begin to cycle through all the colors of the previous acts, signaling that we have reached the final moment.
Act #11: The Harmony of 104
The atmosphere in the Tokyo Aquatics Centre reaches its zenith. This final act is a ten-minute epic, split into two distinct movements that honor the dual nature of Artistic Swimming: the theatrical power of the Full Body and the technical mystery of the Legs-Only discipline.
Part 1: The Full-Body Tapestry (0:00–5:00)
The Soundtrack: A soaring, cinematic medley of all previous acts—starting with the Taiko drums of the Opening, moving through the strings of the "Sakura Blizzard," and ending in a triumphant, orchestral anthem of unity.
The Look: The fiber-optic suits are set to "Global Mode"—each swimmer’s suit cycles through the colors of their respective national flags.
Squad Leaders
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders - The Anchors)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC): Positioned at the apex of the "Global Tower." She acted as the visual cue for the final 104-person arm-lock.
Huang Xuechen (CHN): Controlled the "Base Power," ensuring the 80-person foundation remained stable during the multi-layered lifts.
Yukiko Inui (JPN): Managed the "Ring Interlock," the precise moment the five circles merged into one.
The Section Leaders (The Formation Closers)
Claudia Holzner (CAN): Led the "Green & Blue" sector connection.
Linda Cerruti (ITA): Directed the "Red & Yellow" sector transition.
Marta Fiedina (UKR): Managed the central "Black Ring" alignment.
The Core Choreography
The 22-Nation Parade (0:00–2:00): The 104 swimmers arrange themselves into 22 distinct groups. Each group performs their "Signature Move" from the regular competition (e.g., ROC’s "Spider" hybrid, Spain’s "Flamenco" snap, Egypt’s "Hieroglyph"). As they finish, they merge into a massive, unified line.
The Great Olympic Rings (2:00–3:30): In a feat of geometric precision, the 104 swimmers form five massive interlocking circles.
The Blue Ring: Led by Italy and Greece.
The Yellow Ring: Led by China and Kazakhstan.
The Black Ring: Led by ROC and Egypt.
The Green Ring: Led by Canada and Mexico.
The Red Ring: Led by Japan and Spain.
The Action: All 104 perform a simultaneous "Boost-to-Waist", arms linked, rotating the rings at high speed.
The Global Tower (3:30–5:00): The rings dissolve into a single, tiered pyramid in the center. The 80 Team swimmers create a base for the 24 Duet Specialists, who are lifted into a multi-layered formation, reaching toward the Olympic flame projected on the ceiling.
Part 2: The Legs-Only Symphony & Goodbye Wave (5:00–10:00)
As the music transitions into a rhythmic, heartbeat-like pulse, the swimmers perform a coordinated "Synchronized Descent." The surface of the pool becomes a silent, black mirror.
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders - The Metronomes)
Svetlana Kolesnichenko (ROC): Positioned at the "North" pole. She set the underwater tempo by clicking her nose clip against the water—a sound the others felt through the vibration.
Sun Wenyan (CHN): Positioned at the "South" pole, managing the "Spiral" rotation speed to prevent collisions.
Megumu Yoshida (JPN): The "Center Pivot." She stayed perfectly stationary, allowing the 104-swimmer grid to rotate around her.
The Section Leaders (The Rotation Gauges)
Ona Carbonell (ESP): Led the "Outer Perimeter" group (26 swimmers), ensuring the furthest legs didn't "whip" too fast during spins.
Jacqueline Simoneau (CAN): Led the "Mid-Section" group, maintaining the perfect gap between the inner and outer circles.
Nour El-Afandi (EGY): Managed the "Inner Core" density.
The Submerged Engine
The Kinetic Field (5:00–7:00): 104 pairs of legs break the surface in a perfect grid. For two minutes, they perform a continuous, high-difficulty "Legs-Only Hybrid." Without the use of arms, they execute 1440 degree spins, rapid-fire splits, and vertical height changes that defy gravity.
The "Lighthouse" Rotation (7:00–8:30): The grid transforms into a massive "Spiral." The 104 swimmers, still submerged, use a "Core-Torque" to spin their legs in a wave-like motion that starts at the center and travels to the perimeter.
The "Legs-Only" Goodbye Wave (8:30–9:45): This is the emotional climax.
The "Legs-Only" Goodbye Wave Leaders
The Core Processors (Squad Leaders - The Wave Commmander)
Svetlana Romashina (ROC): Led the "West Wall." Her ankle-wave was the first to start, initiating the 104-person "ripple."
Huang Xuechen (CHN): Led the "East Wall." She mirrored Romashina, creating a symmetrical wave that met in the middle.
Yukiko Inui (JPN): Led the "Central Arc." She signaled the final "Heel-Click" that marked the end of the wave.
The Section Leaders (The Rhythm Keepers)
Lara Teixeira (BRA): Coordinated the Duet Specialists' "Flutter-Wave" at the corners of the pool.
Anna-Maria Alexandri (AUT): Led the "Shallow End" squad, ensuring their ankle-waves remained at a consistent 45-degree angle.
Vasiliki Alexandri (AUT): Led the "Deep End" squad, managing the vertical height of the legs during the final slow-motion sink.
The Action: The 104 swimmers move to the edges of the pool. While their heads remain underwater, they raise one leg into a "Bent-Knee Vertical" and use their feet to perform a rhythmic, side-to-side "Ankle-Wave."
The Visual: It is a surreal and beautiful "thank you" from the athletes, acknowledging that half of their art is performed in the "invisible" world beneath the surface.
The Final Submersion (9:45–10:00): The music fades to a single, resonant bell. The 104 legs perform a slow, collective "Vertical Sink." They descend inch by inch until the toes disappear, leaving only the reflection of the "Tokyo 2020" logo on the perfectly still water.
The Closing Ceremony of the Gala
The stadium lights come up. 104 heads break the surface simultaneously, and for the first time in the entire gala, the swimmers breathe, smile, and embrace one another. The 22 nations have completed the most complex artistic display in history with no fans attendance however Bryan Mercer of NBC Sports said "That was the best Artistic Swimming Gala we've had when it became a true olympic sport since 1984...even with no fans in attendance."
Up Next: The 2024 Summer Olympics as The United States returns to compete Not Only in Duet but also in Team for the First Time since 2008.
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