Al-Ahram Weekly On-line 30 Nov. - 6 Dec. 2000 Issue No.510

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In tune with water

By Inas Mazhar

In unison, the Abdel-Gawwad twins. The body language of playful duos, bellow photos: El-Sayed Abdel-Qader

A group of synchronised swimmers did their version of a school of cute goldfish, turning rhythmically to and fro in Ahli's swimming complex in the first edition of a newly-created World Cup. These stunning underwater creatures -- the girls -- literally danced in the water, and many times under it, to the strains of music, East and West.

The participants may not have been the world's best, but they were good enough. The best 10 countries in the world did not participate but the three-day event did draw 14 premiere nations, which is why Egypt's third-place finish was no mean achievement.

The International Swimming Federation (FINA) decided to hold the tournament, named the World Cup B, to increase the popularity of the sport and to give developing countries a chance to compete and raise the level of their game. Judging by what transpired in Ahli, FINA achieved both goals.

The result pushed Egypt's ranking to 13th even though the title went to Greece with a total of 489 points from solo, duet and team events. Brazil finished second with 443 points and Egypt, its girls considered water babies compared to the aquatic giants of the game, took third with 423 points. Tough competition came from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. "Don't forget these two countries were part of the Soviet Union. So we can't underestimate them," said Sophie Sarwat, head of the synchronised swimming committee at the Egyptian Swimming Federation.

The result meant that Greece and Brazil now join the world's top 10 teams. The two teams that end up at the bottom of the table in World Cup A will consequently replace Greece and Brazil.

The results of each event was calculated by combining the results of two competitions, the free routine and artistic routine. "Sometimes a player will excel in the free routine but fall behind in the artistic routine. This could affect the final result," Sarwat said.

Team captain Dalia Allam spearheaded Egypt's dolphin-like females. The squad included under-15 champion Rosy Nabil, national duet champion twins Sara and Heba Abdel-Gawwad, Ayah Osama, Dina Iskander, Reem Tarek, Ola Abdel-Rahman and Sondous Osama. In the solo, Nabil came fourth while Allam came in 6th place. The Abdel-Gawwads came fifth in the duet.

"The girls trained hard for this competition which we were honoured to be the first nation to host," Sarwat said. Russian coach Elena Olova put the girls through their paces twice a day.

Some countries failed to show up, either too tired after participating in Sydney or because of budget constraints.

FINA president, Algeria's Mustafa Larfawi, praised Egypt's organisation, calling it superb. He said the newly-built Ahli swimming pool complex could allow Egypt to host other water championships including swimming and waterpolo.

For now, synchronised swimming will do just fine, as will the girls who make the sport come alive.

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