Russia synchronized swimmers lead team technical routine, aim at double gold

Source: Xinhua | 08-22-2008 17:38

BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russian synchronized swimmers continued their dominance in the sport here on Friday, emerging as the leaders in the first part of the team competitions.

The Russian eight-member team, led by duet gold medalists Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova, again demonstrated their prowess at dancing in the water to a dynamic Spanish music piece.

The swimmers scored ten 9.9 points from the judges to total 49.500 points. Spanish swimmers, renowned for their creative choreography, finished second with 48.917 points, while China finished third with 48.584 points.

The technical routine, judged on a 100-point scale on execution and overall impression, is the first part of the team competitions. Half of the scores will be added to the free routine, scheduled on Saturday, to decide the final rankings.

The gold medal of the team competition is not likely to fall into other hands than the Russians, who have dominated the team event throughout the last decade. They have won golds at the past two Olympic Games and the past five world championships.