18 gorgeous pictures of Brazil's synchronized swimming team

REUTERS/Pilar Olivares

Brazil's synchronised swimmers Luisa Borges (front) and Maria Eduarda Miccuci perform during a training session.

Synchronized swimming is an Olympic sport. It's a kind of dance that's also an intense, physically demanding sport. The athletes wear makeup and costumes, but they also work out for eight hours a day.

As the world prepares for the summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil's synchronized swim team is practicing in the Maria Lenk Aquatic Centre, one of the Olympic venues. Synchronized swimming isn't a huge sport in Brazil, but their team is an up-and-comer.

The country is beset by problems in the run up to the Olympics, with the spreading Zika virus, construction woes, and political and economic turmoil. But the games are still happening.

Look at how these athletes sync and swim.