The competitive field at the synchronized swimming portion of the IGLA championships continues to grow. At the 2007 IGLA Championships in Paris, 49 swimmers from 10 clubs competed, marking a 100% jump in participating clubs from the 2006 Gay Games.
Synchro also continues to be the most gender-balanced sport in the IGLA aquatics family, with 63% female and 37% male participants at the Paris championships. This is especially significant given that on a global level, both in the amateur and masters levels, male synchronized swimmers are hugely under-represented.
Performances ranged from all-male solos, duets, trios and teams to mixed pair duets, male/female teams and all-female routines. While not a central concern at the meet, it’s also interesting to note that sexual orientation ranged from gay/lesbian to bi-sexual and straight. IGLA teams and championships are leading the way in blending sexual orientation and gender in an aquatic sport that, on the amateur international level, still discriminates against male synchronized swimmers.
Congratulations to all of the synchro competitors. You are certainly making a splash in the world of gay and lesbian aquatics, and in the synchro competitive field worldwide.
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