During the 1956 FINA Congress in Melbourne, a proposal from Peru that an International Committee for Synchronised Swimming be formed was accepted, though a request to apply for Olympic status was rejected. It would be more than 20 years before the Olympic torch came into view again. The Committee was charged with the task of drawing up rules for the sport in time for the next Congress.

Jan Armbrust was the first Chairman of the committee. He was followed by Judith McGowan (USA, 1984-1992), the first woman to head any FINA Technical Committee, Stefanie Haeberli (SUI, 1992-2005) and since 2005 by Ulla Lucenius (FIN). The Honorary Secretaries: Norma Olsen (USA, 1957-1960), J. Cushman (USA, 1961-1968), Donalda Smith (CAN, 1969-1980), Stefanie Haeberli (SUI, 1980-1992), Sandra A. Roberts (CAN, 1992-2000) and, since 2000, Virginia Jasontek (USA).