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Aquatics
fans will be spoiled for choice at Manchester 2002. On the roster
are the traditional swimming and diving events, alongside the
recent newcomer to the Commonwealth Games, synchronised swimming.
While
swimming and diving have been an integral part of any major Games, synchronised
swimming didn't appear until the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1984, and then two
years later as a Commonwealth Games sport. Australian
swimmer, Annette Kellerman, may have invented the sport when she performed "water
ballet" in a glass tank at the New York Hippodrome in 1907.
Katherine
Curtis founded a water ballet club in 1923 and then went on
to develop rules for competition, based on the scoring methods
used in gymnastics, diving, and figure skating.
The
Manchester 2002 Elite Disabled Athletes (EDA) will make their mark at the Manchester
Aquatic Centre, competing in 50m and 100m freestyle events. Athletes with a physical
disability will compete alongside those with a visual impairment and their medals
will count towards the overall medal tally for their country. Whatever
your preference, the new Manchester Aquatics Centre will provide a fantastic setting
for what will no doubt be some hotly contested events. | 
