Michael Jackson’s Iconic Moonwalk Replicated By USA Artistic Swim Team At 2024 Paris Olympics

USA’s artistic swimming team wowed attendees and viewers of the 2024 Paris Olympics with a routine incorporating Michael Jackson’s famed moonwalk dance during the opening round of the competition.

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On Monday (Aug. 5), the artistic swimming team went through a technical routine, during which the squad submerged their upper bodies underwater while coordinating their legs in a manner similar to the late pop icon’s during his moonwalk.

The opening routine was performed to Jackson’s 1987 single “Smooth Criminal,” from his seventh solo studio album Bad and received immediate praise from the public.

A number of viewers expressed their opinion that Team USA’s artistic swim team’s performance was as original as any they’ve witnesed, with some advocating for the team to bring home a gold medal as a result.

One social media user commented that the swim squad’s moonwalk routine “should have gotten [the U.S.] gold right there,” while another deemed the performance as “the highlight of the day” and instantly “iconic!”

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The USA artistic swimming team’s next Olympic routine will be the freestyle category and take place on Tuesday (Aug. 6), followed by their acrobatic routine on Wednesday (Aug. 7) to conclude their events in their pursuit of a gold medal.

Prior to this year’s Olympics, the artistic swimming competition, which was first held at the Olympics during the 2000 Sydney games, has been dominated by Russia, with the nation winning all gold medals in the field to date.

However, this year’s artistic swimming competition does not include Russia, as the nation is in the midst of its war against Ukraine.

See the Team USA artistic swim squad’s moonwalk performance below.

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