En route to a historic medal in artistic swimming at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team USA borrowed a page in the history of one of its most celebrated domestic artists: Michael Jackson.
Jackson never walked on water, but he certainly made it appear that he was walking on the moon when he danced to “Billie Jean” at the Motown 25 concert in 1983.
Flash forward 41 years, and the eight members of the United States’ artistic swimming team put their own spin on Jackson’s signature “moonwalk” move.
Never mind that Anita Alvarez, Daniella Ramirez, Megumi Field, Jamie Czarkowski, Jacklyn Luu, Audrey Kwon, Keana Hunter, and Ruby Remati are all younger than 41 — they range in ages between 18-27. Their interpretation was worthy of silver in Paris.
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The upside-down moonwalk went viral Wednesday:
China captured the gold medal in the event, while Spain took bronze. The United States’ silver medal was its first in the event since 2004.
“There is attention to the sport that has never happened before,” Adam Andrasko, who heads USA Artistic Swimming, told The Guardian. “This is an absolutely different sport.”
The U.S. took bronze with its “Smooth Criminal” routine at the artistic swimming world championships in 2023.
According to The Guardian, rules and judging changes adopted about 18 months ago have turned the event into “gymnastics on water – with a dramatic edge like figure skating.”
While the U.S. team drew its inspiration from M.J., the Spanish routine was set to the music of another American music icon: Eminem. Their swimmers performed to “Lose Yourself,” Eminem’s signature hit from the 2002 soundtrack to the movie 8 Mile.
Team Canada also chose a hip-hop soundtrack for its routine including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar.
“It definitely fits our team’s vibe,” said Canada’s Claire Scheffel. “We’re always dancing, always singing, even prepping for this event. It’s part of our way to get in the game. We love to dance and sing and the hip hop really lets us express ourselves.”
Losing one’s self seemed to fit the m.o. for several teams in the event. However, it was China’s precise coordination that won the day in a routine absent any lyrics or American popular culture references:
Although artistic swimming is hardly the most celebrated event at the Paris 2024 Games, the event seemed to draw out the personalities of all countries involved, wowing the international audience as only the Olympics can.
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