Olympic fans left stunned as Team USA appear to MOONWALK underwater in artistic swimming

Team USA's artistic swimming squad delighted their fans on Monday by outrageously moonwalking while upside down underwater.

The Americans finally got underway in the pool on Monday and performed their opening technical routine to Michael Jackson hit 'Smooth Criminal'.

As the performance started to head towards its big finale, the Americans went underwater and inverted so their legs were above the surface.

They then pulled off a sublime moonwalk - a move that is synonymous with Jackson. 

It produced a huge reaction from the gripped crowd in Paris and was also a huge hit with fans back home, who took to social media to demand they be given the gold medal. 

The Americans moonwalked as they performed to Michael Jackson hit 'Smooth Criminal'

One fan wrote: 'This was the highlight of the day for me. USA Artistic Swimming team with a underwater moonwalk in a tribute to Michael Jackson's Smooth Criminal... instant iconic!'

Another commented: 'Artistic swimming team US doing the moonwalk are you kiiiiiddding me. The artistry & this is why this is the only sport I love'. 

'I'm sorry did I just see the USA ARTISTIC SWIMMING TEAM MOONWALK UNDERWATER?,' added a third.

Another posted: 'Um. The Americans' choreography was ON POINT! A MOONWALK?!'

One American boldly insisted the move 'should have gotten us gold right there'. 

Team USA fans went wild on social media after the team pulled off Jackson's iconic move

The USA will perform their free routine on Tuesday before the event concludes with the acrobatic routine on Wednesday.

Russian athletes have won all of the gold medals in artistic swimming beginning with the 2000 Sydney Olympics. However, they are not competing in artistic this time.

There are only a handful of Russians competing in Paris because of Russia's war on Ukraine. So the field is wide open with China likely the favorites.

Men were eligible to compete in the team event for the first time in the Olympics, but none were selected

Swimming's world governing body World Aquatics has said it was disappointed no men were picked as the sport seeks to broaden its appeal.