Synchornized Swimming: Spain was banned for wearing embedded waterproof lights
By SummerChick
@SummerChick (513)
Philippines
August 19, 2008 1:00pm CST
On synchronized swimming, Spain's team was banned from performing their act due to their lighted costume. Apparently they wore embedded (sewn) waterproof lights on their costumes thinking it will add up some glitters on the show. But the judges ruled them out telling that accessories are not allowed on the competition.
Spain was a big contender on this event. They argued with the judges that even the sequins on the costumes are considered 'accessories' so what makes the waterproof lights any difference. But since rule are rules their performance was halted by this incidence.
To me, as long as it is safe and will add up factor since synchronize swimming is really an art rather than a competition, the judges should have let the contestant perform.
What do you think, are the olympic judges 'too conservative' not allowing Spain to perform?
3 responses
@mscott (1923)
• United States
19 Aug 08
Personally I don't think it matters one way or the other. I don't think it should even be in the Olympics. All that stuff is so subjective that it is ridiculous anyway. So they have to switch suits, they didn't get banned did they? maybe there are people who want to watch it but really, do you know anyone that actually does this stuff as a hobby or in their free time? It isn't like track, soccer, basketball or even regular swimming where many many people do it. 
@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
They were banned not to wear the 'magic' costume. But they are still competing for the medals, in fact they were on top on the qualifying rounds.
@dagda24 (366)
•
19 Aug 08
I am NOT saying in any way that Spain intended to cheat, but the JUDGES may have THOUGHT that the lights might make it possible for the players to communicate in a way that other teams could not, therefore giving them an infair advantage.
I'm sure the Spanish costume designers just thought they looked really good (maybe the judges thought this in itself would give them an advantage), but had the judges not stopped them from competing in these costumes then they probably would have been open to a lot of criticism from other competitors and fans.
I think a fairer outcome would have been if their performance was halted and they were then asked to re-perform their routine in different costumes. . . Though perhaps the team did not have another matching set of costumes.
@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
The competition was still on and Spain perform without the 'magic' costume. But on the qualifying rounds Spain tops and Japan and Canada were on the runners. These 3 countries will vie for the olympic medals today, August 20.
Even though Spain perform with a costume they did not plan to wear they still emerge on the qualifying rounds with colors.
@SummerChick (513)
• Philippines
19 Aug 08
Well maybe spain should have consulted first the olympics judges before making those costumes. But since they did not, they have to suffer the consequence even if the judges are way out of reason.
