Aussies say synchro no joke at Rio

Heard the one about synchronised swimming?

Australia's Bianca Hammett has - and she's not laughing.

Dual Olympian Hammett admits synchronised swimming is still the butt of a few jokes.

But she has a pretty good comeback.

"Have a go at it yourself," Hammett said.

On paper a Hammett-skippered Australia may not have done much to silence the doubters.

They were in last place in the Rio Olympics eight-strong synchro teams field after the technical routine on Thursday.

The free routine is on Friday.

But Hammett hopes their profile at Rio will help make a difference in Australia.

And maybe finally end those jokes.

"I get that a lot," Hammett said of the jibes.

"But if anyone came along and gave it a go, trained six hours in a pool a day plus land work, they will realise this is a sport.

"In Australia it is not a big sport but our key goal is to raise the profile.

"We want people to realise it is not like Esther Williams back in the day."

In London, Hammett's eight-strong Australian team turned heads with a free routine set to AC/DC.

They hope to stand out again on Friday.

Their free routine's theme is native fauna.

Crocodiles, snakes and other animals will be represented.

"We worked with an Aboriginal elder - he taught us how to move like an emu," Hammett said.

Russia leads after the technical routine.

They are aiming for their fifth straight gold medal in the event.