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18 gorgeous pictures of Brazil’s synchronized swimming team
2016-06-27T13:48:50Z
Synchronized swimming is an Olympic sport. It's a kind of dance that's also an intense, physically demanding sport. The athletes wear makeup and costumes, but they also work out for eight hours a day.
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As the world prepares for the summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil's synchronized swim team is practicing in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre, one of the Olympic venues. Synchronized swimming isn't a huge sport in Brazil, but their team is an up-and-comer.
The country is beset by problems in the run up to the Olympics, with the spreading Zika virus, construction woes, and political and economic turmoil. But the games are still happening.
Look at how these athletes sync and swim.
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Synchronized swimming isn't just dancing underwater.
It's a tough sport.
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And it can be beautiful to watch.
Brazil prepared four venues in Rio for water-based sports.
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"It is one of the toughest sports there is," said team member Maria Eduarda Miccuci.
The bathing suits are like waterproof ballet costumes.
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The swimmers wear makeup in addition to their uniforms.
Swimmers have to keep up intense diet and exercise regimens in addition to swimming and choreography practice.
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But it can be a lot of fun.
Here are two of Brazil's synchronized swimmers gliding underwater.
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...and here they are upside-down.
Team member Lara Teixeira got an Olympics tattoo.
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Look at the precision.
...and the grace.
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"I was already a good swimmer and felt at home in the water, but this was even more exciting – the music, the aesthetics," said swimmer Luisa Borges.
Their makeup includes gelatin, which won't wash off easily underwater.
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To keep their hairdos in place, they use a special powder and warm water.
It works perfectly.
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