Russia takes double golds in synchronized swimming

Source: Xinhua | 08-23-2008 17:00

BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Russian synchronized swimmers proved their invincibility after sweeping two gold medals in duet and team competitions at the Beijing Games.

Russian synchronized swimming team perform during the team event  free routine at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games synchronized  swimming event in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Russian team won  the gold medal in synchronized swimming team event.  (Xinhua/Wang Dingchang)

The eight-member Russian team scored ten full marks in the free routine program on Saturday to win the gold medal with a total of 99.500 points. The Russian swimmers, the last to perform in a total of eight teams, performed with unmatched precision and power to a music piece of "life of the sea".

Its duo Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova have won the duet gold medal on Wednesday. Spain took the silver with a total of 98.251 points. China surpassed Athens silver medal winner Japan to win the bronze, scoring 97.334 points.

Japan shared the fifth place with the American team, at 95.334 points.

Hiromi Kobayashi, a Japanese swimmer, nearly fainted in the water after the performance. She was immediately attended by doctors and has returned to stable conditions.