China

Team China won silver again, behind ROC again. Their suits are beautiful, but its interesting -- as we discussed the other day how suits and leotards and such don't budge or ride up the way we might fear -- how clear the netting is on the sides of these. At a certain point, why wouldn't you just design the whole thing to be lower cut, rather than have very visible beige parts? Unless they're mega-grippy?

You need to see this as it unfolded in real time, courtesy of Leslie Jones's Twitter. And remember: NOT JUDGED. Just something they do to be awesome and to get in tune with each other before they go in the water. (But also something that takes enormous practice and polish.)

ROC

They must really like menacing routines. The spider routine came first, and now, despite their peppy suits, we have... I mean, based on their suits, should we assume it's ALIEN menace?

Ukraine

Ukraine won bronze -- I believe the podium was identical to the duo round -- with a routine I call "Belting It Out." (I didn't get to see any of these so I'm just going by the belts on their suits, and the fact that this seems very close to jazz hands.)

Ukraine

If Belting It Out were a musical, this would be the end of Act 1, in which our leads decide to just cinch it and hope for the best.

Spain

Presumably this is about sea monsters. Let us give a standing ovation for their spiky spines.

Japan

The high cut of these ALSO has a Borat feel (I made reference to that in the Duos post).

Australia

This is clearly a visual poem about the Heat Miser and the Snow Miser and the necessary, simultaneous clashes and codependence of them and their climes.

Italy

That's just gorgeous art-deco stuff -- like a tribute to an old-school supper club, perhaps one in which Charles Grodin would see Miss Piggy and become totally enchanted, before robbing his sister of her diamonds and getting ketchup all over his tie.

Canada

"ARIEL GET BACK HERE, WE DON'T CARE THAT YOU LOVE A MAN ON LEGS, WE HAVE A PERFORMANCE TO DO."

Canada

From an earlier round. Canada chose neon graffiti.

Ukraine

Was this the Illusion Of More Nudity Please round?

ROC

Those feel very Moulin Rouge to me. But from a cartoon version.

Australia

Oooh, I like those suits, too. That poor girl in the middle seems like she's off on her choreo.

Spain

I think we can all hope this is Cruella de Vil themed.

Italy

This looks like it's for a fertility ritual involving Zuul.

ROC

Okay, this is from one of their practices, but wouldn't it be delightful if one team came out and was like, "Yes, our theme for our artistic swim is... SWIMMING ITSELF."

Ukraine

Can you imagine being the person providing the perfect feet for this?

China

Or being able to help hurl your teammate this high -- while she is ACTING! -- without actually touching the bottom of the pool? You're either treading water, or launching yourself off the thighs of OTHER people who are treading water.

ROC

I mean. IT'S A PILE OF BODIES UP IN HERE. (Is that athlete actually allowed to touch the ground? Maybe one person can? I guess they don't monitor underwater but it feels like there have to be rules about that.)

Canada

Beautiful.

Egypt

I wish we'd seen more of Egypt before now. Those are so pretty.

Japan

I call this move FIGHT THE PATRIARCHY.

ROC

This is an amazing photo. Everything about it is great.

ROC

I assume these are also big Cirque du Soleil recruiting grounds.

China

There were a couple photos like this from the Duos post where the photographer had intentionally flipped the photos 180 degrees so it looked like they were dashing across water. That was neat, but the correct view is also really astonishing.

China

Seriously, forget Olympic baseball, tennis, golf, sometimes soccer, and other sports I can watch pretty much any day I want. (I realize these sports do not shut down between Olympics, but the difference for me is what's readily available on our sports networks year-round and what isn't.) The Olympics are at their best when you're reminded that other astonishing feats of strength and grace are possible.

I Know The Olympics Are Over, But There Was More Synchro to Appreciate

BIG FINISH.