Press release pitch: USA Artistic Swimming (USA Synchro)

"Boost to new heights" graphic draft

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

USA Strives for Olympic Qualification at Pan American Games

LIMA, PERU, August 1, 2019- The synchronized swimming, artistic swimming as recognized by FINA, competition concluded on the evening of Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in the Aquatics Center in Villa Deportiva Nacional Videna in Lima, Peru. Eight countries competed for the one spot to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in the team event, while twelve countries competed for the one duet qualifying position. USA finished second in the team event behind Team Canada.

The US Synchronized Swim National Team competed in the technical team event on Monday, July 29. The routine was choreographed to a fast paced, techno style melody, featuring the required elements. The required lift cadence boosted the team to new heights early in the routine. After the technical competition the team was seated in third with 87.4667 points.

The team then competed in the free event on Wednesday, July 31. The dramatic storytelling features of the free routine spoke volumes of Team USA’s strengths and boosted them into second place overall. Head coach and four-time Olympic medalist Andrea Fuentes explained the inspiration of the routine, “Especially in our free routine, we incorporated so many elements inspired by the world outside of synchro. The team has worked with professional dancers in robotics and contemporary dance as well as with athletes and coaches in other sports to study movement in life. Those elements accent our routine while making it relatable and interesting for anyone watch.”

The Pan American Games are one of three qualifiers for the Olympics in the sport of synchronized swimming. From the Pan American Games the top finisher automatically qualifies for the Olympics as the representative of the American continents. Earlier in July 2019 the FINA World Championships in South Korea served as another qualifying competition where the top two finishers qualify. USA finished fourth in this team event. Team USA’s final opportunity to qualify for the 2020 Olympics will be at the Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Tokyo, Japan in March 2020. “Our National Team has had great development on the international stage in recent competitions,” said Ginny Jasontek, Acting High Performance Director of USA Synchro. “We are motivated to boost the team in this final stretch towards the 2020 Olympic podium.”

About USA Synchro

US Synchronized Swimming, also known as USA Synchro, is the official governing body for the sport of synchronized swimming since its establishment as a nonprofit in 1979. USA Synchro supports athletes in the sport from grassroots development through international, elite and masters programs. Synchronized swimmers compete in solo, duet, team and combination events locally, nationally and internationally. Synchronized swimming is a performance team sport that incorporates elements of swimming, dancing, gymnastics and lifting.

Press Contact

Kaitlyn Strutt

Communication & Partnership Marketing Coordinator, USA Synchro

719-866-2219

kaitlyn@usasynchro.org

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