You have to grin from ear to ear, even when in pain or gasping for air or after swallowing a mouthful of water. Most people do not even recognise it as a sport. There are the jokes. But it's actually a very aggressive sport. They may always look like they're smiling, but underneath, everyone wants to be top dog.
Training is arduous.
Team members spend up to eight hours in the pool and the gym, but draw the line at lifting weights. Their limbs are finely tapered, and their muscles as honed as a ballerina's. They need to be to perform technical moves as the rocket split, in which they shoot out of the water feet first, finishing with a leg split. Make-up and lipstick are still de rigueur. You eventually work out your own combination with trial and error.