Men to compete in artistic swimming at Olympics for first time

Snicker if you wish. Guffaw for good measure. Bill May and other male synchronized swimmers have heard the putdowns before. But they’re getting the last laugh. Men have competed in synchro at the lower levels for decades. Now they’re being included in the Olympics, meaning next year’s Summer Games in Paris. “I think it’s a huge opportunity for the sport to grow and attract more men,” May told the Associated Press at the World Aquatics Championships. “By keeping men out you’re limiting the sport. By including men you’re going to see an upshift in the popularity and the numbers.”

tips

snicker：窃笑

guffaw：狂笑

putdown：奚落

aquatic：水上的（aqua- 水）；水上运动

upshift：换挡高速；加速