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History May-ker Synchronized swimmer in line to become first male to medal
Posted: Monday July 20, 1998 01:23 AM
UNIONDALE, New York (AP) -- Bill May of the United States was in line to win two of the first medals ever awarded to a man in an international synchronized swimming event. May and partner Kristina Lum, the national champions, were in second place in the duet after the short program, trailing Olga Brousnikina and Maria Kisseleva of Russia by 0.733 points. Miho Takeda and Miya Tachibana of Japan were third. The United States was second behind Russia in the team event, too, with May and Lum reserves, 98.600-97.467. Japan was third. Male athletes are barred from synchronized swimming in the Olympics and most other international meets, but the Goodwill Games allowed May to compete. May says his status as a rare man in the world of synchronized swimming has its advantages. "I don't have to put on any makeup or hair gel, and I get to wear a smaller suit," May said Sunday after he and partner Kristina Lum finished second in the duet short program at the Goodwill Games. If the reigning U.S. national champions hold onto their position behind Russia's Olga Brousnikina and Maria Kisseleva, May would win one of the first medals for a man in international synchro. Men are barred from the sport in the Olympics and most other major meets but the Goodwill Games allowed May to compete under regional rules. "We did this because we wanted to change synchronized swimming by utilizing the different skills of a man and women," May said. "We want to evolve the sport, like ice skating has."
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