Men and women will be able to "compete as a pair at major diving events"
after world aquatics governing body FINA approved the "introduction of
mixed-gender teams," according to the BBC. Mixed teams will compete in the 3m and 10m synchronized events. FINA has "also given the green light for mixed-gender duets" in synchronized swimming. Former world champion diver Tom Daley described the decision as "really exciting," adding, "I think the public will really get behind it" (BBC, 12/2). The AP's James Ellingworth reported "not everyone is happy" about the news in Russia, "the sport's undisputed superpower." London 2012 Olympic champion Angelika Timanina, an eight-time world champion with Russia's national team, said, "I'd probably have decided against it. I wouldn't have approved this
issue. We're used to classical synchronized swimming, feminine synchronized
swimming." Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that synchronized swimming should be "a purely feminine sport" and
introducing mixed competition is "mistaken." Mutko even hinted that the "introduction
of mixed duets was the result of pressure from Russia's rivals." He said, "Evidently, some kind of group of countries has pushed this through" (AP, 12/3).
