Synchronized swimming: The Essentials
Last Updated: Tuesday, September 14, 2010 | 11:41 AM ET
By Jesse Campigotto, CBC Sports
Chloe Isaac, left, and Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon will try to protect Canada's 24-year-old unbeaten streak in synchronized swimming. (Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images)
When you think of dominant Canadian athletes, hockey players probably come to mind first. Then maybe curlers, or perhaps lacrosse players or figure skaters.
But even the greats from those sports can only dream of the type of success that Canada's synchronized swimmers have enjoyed at the Commonwealth Games.
Canada has never lost a synchro competition at the Commonwealth Games, winning 13 gold medals in 13 events across six Games. The streak extends back to 1986, when Sylvie Frechette won the solo event and Carolyn Waldo teamed with Michelle Cameron to take the duet title.
Frechette returned in 1990 to win the solo and the figures (the only time that event was held). Kathy Glen and Christine Larsen completed a Canadian sweep of the figures podium, and also teamed up for the duet crown.
Only three other countries besides Canada have reached the synchro podium: England (11 times), Australia (11) and New Zealand (2).
Two events are on tap in Delhi: the solo and the duet. This differs from the Olympics, where the competitions are the duet and team.
Who to watch
Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon and Chloe Isaac (Canada): Boudreau-Gagnon won the Commonwealth solo title in 2006, and joined Isabelle Rampling to claim the duet crown. Now she'll try to repeat as a double champion with a new partner — fellow Quebecer Isaac, a Commonwealth Games rookie who also swam with Boudreau-Gagnon on the Canadian squad that captured bronze in the team combo event at the most recent world championships.
When to watch
Day 3 (Oct. 6)
- Solo and duet technical routines
Day 4 (Oct. 7)
- Solo and duet free routines
