Photo Gallery 'It's Not Fair'
Niklas Stoepel, 17, is Germany's only competitive male synchronized swimmer.
Read the article: Male Synchronized Swimmer Fights for Right to Compete
He's the only guy on his team, FS Bochum, which has recently became Germany's national youth champion in group competition. Despite his success on the national level, Stoepel has been unable to parlay those achievements to the international level because, he believes, officials in the sport don't want to see men in synchronized swimming.
Read the article: Male Synchronized Swimmer Fights for Right to Compete
His story is similar to that of Bill May in the United States. May competed successfully as a member of the Santa Clara Aquamaids, one of the top synchronized swimming programs in the US, but he was banned by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) from participating in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Read the article: Male Synchronized Swimmer Fights for Right to Compete
In Germany, Stoepel says he remains undeterred by prejudice and will continue with his push to go to the Olympics.
Read the article: Male Synchronized Swimmer Fights for Right to Compete
