Synchronized Swimming Set to Make a Splash for Women Across Asia Pacific

Visa survey reveals synchronized swimming among top 10 sports for women

Singapore.-Synchronized swimming - a top Olympic sport for one in four women across Asia Pacific, according to research by Visa - kicks off tomorrow in Beijing with the promise to draw even more women into the excitement of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.¹

Of the 2,277 women surveyed, 23 percent were interested in synchronized swimming - more than twice the number of men (10 percent) who showed interest in the aquatic event. It was also most popular among people over the age of 45 (24 percent).

Richard Chang, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Visa Greater China and the Philippines said: “The sport combines beauty and grace with an inordinate amount of athleticism. The degree of coordination required by these ladies is difficult enough on land, let alone in water. Akin to similar qualities required in artistic gymnastics - another popular sport among women - it would seem the significant female fan following for the sport can be attributed to the female ideal of combining strength and beauty.”

Most popular among Japanese, Malaysian and Singaporean Women

Women from across the region are looking forward to the smooth choreography of synchronized swimming; in Japan, nearly half of the women surveyed (45 percent) are interested in the sport, followed by Malaysia (39 percent) and Singapore (36 percent).

Other countries and territories where women show a keen interest in synchronized swimming include New Zealand (35 percent), Hong Kong (29 percent), and Australia (25 percent).

Richard Chang said: “The quality of the athletes participating at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games is phenomenal. Synchronized swimming is a relatively new event as it was introduced to the Olympic Games in 1984, and this year’s event is shaping up to be the best that we have ever seen as it makes its debut appearance in the spectacular National Aquatic Centre, also known as the Water Cube.”