“Brazil's synchronized swimming team is planning to make waves in August, when Rio de Janeiro becomes the first South American city to host the Olympics. In a country best known for soccer and volleyball, the eight-member squad hopes that a strong performance can help raise the profile of synchronized swimming and get more Brazilians interested in a sport that many see as merely a lighthearted dance in the water. “It is one of the toughest sports there is”, said team member Maria Eduarda Miccuci. Monday through Saturday, the 21-year-old Rio de Janeiro resident and her teammates undergo weight, stretching and cardiovascular regimens, on top of swimming and choreography, for eight hours a day. As a team, Brazil's synchronized swimmers lack the pedigree of nations like Russia, which has long dominated the sport, or China, Spain and the Ukraine, which are also expected to make strong showings in Rio. But at last year's World Aquatic Championships in Russia, the Brazil squad made it to the final 12-team round, an accomplishment it hopes to repeat at the Rio Games”. – Pilar Olivares via Reuters



Brazil's synchronised swimmers Luisa Borges and Maria Eduarda Miccuci perform during a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 29, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Maria Eduarda Miccuci (R) and Luisa Borges pose for a photograph before a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Maria Eduarda Miccuci (R) and Luisa Borges perform during a photo session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 29, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Maria Eduarda Miccuci (R) and Luisa Borges fix their hair before a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmer Maria Eduarda Miccuci uses her makeup before a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmer Luisa Borges puts on her makeup before a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Luisa Borges (front) and Maria Eduarda Miccuci perform during a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team poses for a photograph after a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Luisa Borges (R) and Maria Eduarda Miccuci pose for a photograph after a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team performs during a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team performs during a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmer Maria Eduarda Miccuci puts on her makeup before a training session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 7, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team performs during a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmer Lara Teixeira poses for a photograph after a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team watches a video during a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimmers Maria Eduarda Miccuci (R) and Luisa Borges perform during a photo session at the Rio Olympic Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 29, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)





Brazil's synchronised swimming team poses for a photograph after a training session at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 20, 2016. (Photo by Pilar Olivares/Reuters)