Going for Gold with Anita Alvarez and Mariya Koroleva

Meet synchronized swimmers Anita Alvarez, Mariya Koroleva. Olympic athletes explain what it takes to be a world-class synchronized swimmer.

Synchronized swimmer Mariya Koroleva ’17 is heading to the Olympics. Again. The Master in Sport Management student and her swimming partner Anita Alvarez qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil games, taking seventh place at the qualifying event in early March. It’s another shot at glory for Koroleva, who also competed in synchronized swimming for the U.S. team in 2012 in London.

Stanford alumna Mariya Koroleva explains how she's taken a much different path than her classmates following her time on The Farm and what she hopes to achieve in Rio.

Olympic Insights: How Mariya Koroleva Got Involved in Synchronized Swimming

Above the water, their routine is simple. Under the water, Mary Killman and Mariya Koroleva would say differently. BSU at the Games takes you "behind the scenes" with Team USA's only two synchro athletes at the Olympic Games.

Olympic Swimmers Hair and Makeup Tips

US Synchronized Swimmers Talk Training and Olympic Excitement

It would be hard to find a more perfect pairing for the synchronized swimming duet event than Mary Killman and Mariya Koroleva. VOA's Parke Brewer has the story of the two Americans who will compete at the London Olympics.

On the Record: Maria Koroleva