USAAS Ends 20 Year Medal Drought at 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Today marks just over a week since USA Artistic Swimming made history at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Although it was a journey to get there, the stars and stripes made an impression once they hit they stage. 

The Artistic Swimming segment of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games opened with the Team Technical Routine. At draw number seven, USA performed their famous Michael Jackson themed routine they have been perfecting for over three years. The evolution of choreography led to the production of the, now viral, moonwalk that amazed fans in the stands and all around the world. Following the routine, USA received their score containing a base mark on their first hybrid element in the routine.  

Following the competition, USA coaching staff protested their base mark. After approximately 35 minutes of review, technical controllers overturned the base mark moving the stars and stripes to from 7^th place to 4^th place with a total score of 282.7567 after day one. 

August 6^th the eight-man roster showed up to the pool prepared to swim their popular Team Free ‘Water’ Routine with an increased difficulty than the coaching staff originally planned in hopes of sealing a top three overall position after the completion of day two. 

Team USA successfully swam their routine with a declared difficulty of 68 with no penalties or base marks placing them in second place overall behind China. 

Heading into the final day of competition, the anticipation was high knowing that the United States could medal for the first time at the Olympic Games since 2004. USA headed into their Acrobatic routine with their heads held high and confident their ‘Sorceresses’ routine would land them right where they wanted. 

Patiently waiting at draw number nine, Team USA took the stage and awed the crowd with their next-level and incredibly innovative acrobatics and imagery within their routine and made history. 

Finishing with 271.3166 with zero penalties or base marks, USA Artistic Swimming totaled 914.3421, landed in the silver medal position marking the highest finish for the organization since 2004 Athens. 

CEO Adam Andrasko reflects on the team’s mark in history, “It was never about a medal drought for me. It was always about building a team and an organization that people were inspired by, proud to be a part of. This medal did that for more people than even I believed possible. To me it is the greatest validation for the hard work of our athletes, coaches and everyone associated with the organization. The medal was won by our eight Olympians, but it was earned through the efforts of thousands. I am so honored to celebrate this with everyone!” 

Head Coach Andrea Fuentes shares in her recent Instagram post, "If I had written a letter to Santa with all the things that happened these last months, I would already be the happiest human on earth with only half of it.” She continues, “WE DID THAT! And the best part is THE WAY we did it: based on LOVE and INSPIRATION.”