Aquatics fans will be spoiled for choice at Manchester 2002. On the roster are the traditional swimming and diving events, alongside the recent newcomer to the Commonwealth Games, synchronised swimming.

While swimming and diving have been an integral part of any major Games, synchronised swimming didn't appear until the Los Angeles Olympic Games of 1984, and then two years later as a Commonwealth Games sport.

Australian swimmer, Annette Kellerman, may have invented the sport when she performed "water ballet" in a glass tank at the New York Hippodrome in 1907.

Katherine Curtis founded a water ballet club in 1923 and then went on to develop rules for competition, based on the scoring methods used in gymnastics, diving, and figure skating.

The Manchester 2002 Elite Disabled Athletes (EDA) will make their mark at the Manchester Aquatic Centre, competing in 50m and 100m freestyle events. Athletes with a physical disability will compete alongside those with a visual impairment and their medals will count towards the overall medal tally for their country.

Whatever your preference, the new Manchester Aquatics Centre will provide a fantastic setting for what will no doubt be some hotly contested events.