Each of them consists of two routines, a technical, and a free routine. Same swimmers may perform both in team and duet events.
Technical routine is done on the basis of predetermined elements and should be performed in a specific order. Free routine, unlike the technical routine, is not based on any predetermined elements and hence, provides the participants to be creative and innovative while exhibiting their choreography skills.
Team event requires eight participating swimmers and one alternate swimmer. Technical routines has a time limit of 2:50 (+ or -15 seconds). Free routine is provided with a time limit of 4:00 (+ or -15 seconds).
Duet Event, as the name suggests, consists of two swimmers and one alternate swimmer. Technical routines has a time limit of 2:20 (+ or -15 seconds). Free routine is provided with a time limit of 3:30 (+ or -15 seconds).
The scoring is the responsibility of the judging panel. There are two judging panel to monitor the Synchronised Swimming performances in Olympics. Each panel consists of 5 judging members. One panel scores technical merit while the other scores artistic impression.
The points are awarded on a scale of 0.0-10.0 (in tenths). The judges observe the degree of difficulty of each movement, beauty of its execution, and synchronization of the movements. The trick is to perform the most difficult choreography with ease because the easier it looks, the difficult it is to perform.
The Olympic medal winners are declared on the basis of total points scored by the swimmers. The scores for both the routines, technical routine and free routines are totaled and the team with highest score wins gold whereas the second highest and third highest silver and bronze respectively. If the competition results in a tie, then both teams win medal.