Behind the smile: Stamina and sacrifice in artistic swimming

This intermediate ESL lesson plan is designed for B1-B2 students. Based on the BBC 6 Minute English podcast, it explores the grueling world of artistic swimming, the hidden pain behind the performance, and why athletes like Silvia Solymosyová train like machines to look like dancers.

Teacher’s note: I’ve found that even my quietest B1 students light up when discussing the “hidden” side of sports. It’s a perfect “hook” to sneak in complex grammar like the second conditional because the physical demands are so extreme—students love imagining if they could survive such a workout.

Lesson overview

• Level: Intermediate (B1-B2)
• Topic: Professional sports, dedication, and physical limits
• Skills: Vocabulary building, listening comprehension, and speaking
• Materials: Video/transcript, writing journal, student handouts

Warm-up discussion

• Do you think you are a disciplined person when it comes to exercise?
• How long can you hold your breath underwater?
• If you had to train for eight hours a day, what sport or hobby would you choose?

Pre-reading: The “Underwater Ballerina” Mentality

Artistic swimming isn’t just about sparkling swimsuits anymore. Recently, the sport has shifted from “synchronized swimming” to a high-intensity discipline that combines gymnastics and dance under extreme conditions. For athletes like Silvia Solymosyová, being a medallist is no longer just about grace—it is a matter of incredible stamina. These swimmers aren’t just treading water; they are performing upside down without oxygen while making it look completely effortless.

It isn’t just about the music and the makeup anymore. This “athlete mentality” has created a demanding environment where swimmers must hide their physical pain. While the audience sees a beautiful routine, the swimmers are often struggling to breathe. Critics and fans alike wonder how these athletes manage to compromise their comfort for such long periods under the guidance of rigorous coaches.

Grammar spotlight

The second conditional

Use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future.

The structure: If + past simple, … would + infinitive

Examples:

• “If I trained eight hours a day, I would be exhausted.” (You don’t train 8 hours a day right now.)
• “If she didn’t smile, the judges would give her fewer points.” (She is currently smiling.)

Quick check: Can you complete these sentences?

1. If I ________ (have) to dance underwater, I ________ (panic) immediately!
2. If the coach ________ (be) my mother, I ________ (find) it very difficult to relax.

Contrast and transition signals

We use contrast connectors to show the difference between two ideas. In the video, these are used to compare what the audience sees (beauty) with what the athlete feels (pain).

1. On the other hand

Used to present a second, contrasting point of view. It often follows a sentence starting with “On the one hand…” (though the first part is sometimes implied).

• Example: “It’s good to train at home with her mum. On the other hand, it’s hard to relax when your coach is always there.”

2. But / actually

In the video, Silvia uses “actually” to correct a common misconception.

• Example: “People think it’s easy, but we are actually dying.”

3. As opposed to / unlike

Used to show how one thing is different from another.

• Example: “Unlike a marathon runner, an artistic swimmer has to perform without breathing.”

Quick check: Can you complete these sentences?

1. Artistic swimming looks very graceful; ____________, it is incredibly demanding physically.
2. I thought the routine was simple, but I ____________ found out it requires years of training.
3. She loves winning medals; ____________, she hates the eight-hour training sessions.

Answer key

Key vocabulary

Understanding these 10 terms is essential for following the discussion on professional athletics.

Extension vocabulary

Use these terms to deepen your English conversation about sports and lifestyle.

• Demanding: Requiring much skill, effort, or pressure.
• Chillin’ (Slang): Relaxing or hanging out.
• On the other hand: A phrase used to present a contrasting opinion.
• Graceful: Having or showing grace or elegance.
• Dedication: The quality of being committed to a task or purpose.
• Former: Having previously filled a particular role or status.
• Guidance: Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty.
• Physically: Relating to the body as opposed to the mind.
• Contrast: A state of being strikingly different from something else.
• Extreme: Reaching a high or the highest degree; very great.
• “Hide behind a smile”: An idiom meaning to pretend to be happy while suffering.

Reading and listening comprehension

1. According to the video, what are the three types of “routines” mentioned?
2. What does Silvia say is happening “behind the smile” during a performance?
3. Why does Silvia say there is “no respite” when being coached by her mother?
4. Besides talent, what “idiom” describes how swimmers treat their pain for the judges?
5. Which country has won the most gold medals in this sport since 1984?

Reading and listening comprehension answers

1. Routines: Solo, duet, and team (8 or 10 people).
2. Behind the smile: They are “dying” because they have no oxygen and are in pain.
3. No respite: Because she is training even when she is at home “chillin’.”
4. Idiom: To “hide behind a smile.”
5. Gold medals: Russia.

Activity: Design a “Human Limit” Training Camp

Task: You are a world-class coach. In pairs, design a training schedule for an artistic swimmer.

• Schedule: How many hours of training vs. how many hours of “chillin'”?
• Diet: What specific foods will provide the stamina they need?
• Mental Prep: How will you teach your athlete to hide behind a smile?
• Presentation: Present your “training pitch” to the class using at least five vocabulary words from this lesson.

The “big question” debate

“Is the ‘perfection’ of artistic swimming worth the physical suffering of the athletes?”

Discussion topic: Does it change your opinion of the sport knowing that the athletes feel like they are “dying” underwater? Discuss whether sports should prioritize aesthetics (beauty) or the athlete’s comfort.

Quiz: Artistic Swimming and the Hidden Struggle

Part 1: Multiple choice

1. What is a “routine”? a) A type of swimsuit. b) A planned sequence of movements. c) A rest period.
2. If a video goes “viral,” it means: a) It is about a disease. b) Many people are watching it online. c) It is very long.
3. “Stamina” is most important for: a) Looking pretty. b) Staying underwater for a long time. c) Choosing the music.
4. “On the other hand” is used to: a) Point at something. b) Show a different opinion. c) Say goodbye.

Part 2: Fill in the blank

1. Silvia is a European ___________ who has won many awards.
2. She says she has to ___________ behind a smile during her routine.
3. Being coached by your parents means there is no ___________ from the pressure.

Answer key

Join the conversation: Could you do it?

We want to hear from you! If you were offered a million dollars to train like Silvia for just one month, would you do it?

• Teachers: How did your students react to the “dying behind a smile” comment?
• Students: Would you rather perform a solo or a duet?

Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!