The US artistic swimming team made quite a splash in Paris when they performed a synchronized moonwalk to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.
The United States team has not competed in the Olympics since 2008, but coach Andrea Fuentes has helped them make a strong comeback.
The eight swimmers fell backward in time to one of the greatest singles by the King of Pop while upside down and with their feet protruding into the water.
Despite the fact that the choreography failed to impress the judges—the women placed seventh with a score of 249.0067—social media fans gave the dance a much better grade.
Team USA’s artistic swimmers wowed Olympic fans with their upside-down moonwalk to Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal
Image credits: David Madison via Getty Images
“The regulation of breath. the physical control. The power. An X user commented, “I really can’t comprehend all the skills needed to accomplish this.
“I am reminding everyone once more that of all the Olympic sports, artistic swimming is the most undervalued and underrated. A second individual said, “THEY LITERALLY MOONWALKED UPSIDE DOWN!”
“I apologize. Was it the USA Artistic Swimming Team Moonwalk Underwater that I just saw? A third admirer wrote.
“They are all crazy! They have excellent skills,” a second person exclaimed.
Image credits: Jabin Botsford via Getty Images
At the Los Angeles Games in 1984, artistic swimming had its Olympic debut.
A group of judges rates swimmers according to their technique, synchronization, level of difficulty, usage of music, and choreography in the sport.
In order to succeed in their routines, swimmers competing in artistic swimming must be flexible and possess exceptional coordination and attention to detail.
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The upside down Moonwalk in the pool is fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/oqapvItaSs
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) August 6, 2024
Since 2004, Team USA has not taken home a medal. China has great expectations of winning gold because the dominant country in the sport, Russia, is not allowed to compete in the Paris Games, according to Reuters.
Following the team free routine on Tuesday, August 7, the United States and China were in the lead.
The winner will be determined by an acrobatic routine that is being introduced for the first time in Paris on Wednesday, after which the gold medal will be given out.
The team won three gold medals in a row in all team routines at the 2024 World Cup Super-final in June of that year.
The team launched a new Acrobatic performance that amazed all competitors and swam the highest Free Team routine score since the new scoring system was implemented.
“We have the most diverse team in the world for our sport, with each member possessing unique personalities that complement one another,” said Team USA coach Fuentes.
“We’ve created specific roles for everyone, and they thrive off each other’s strengths.”
