Rampant Russia show they are world's best in synchronised swimming with double gold
Russia underlined their domination of synchronised swimming as they captured the technical solo and techinal team gold medals at the Scotstoun Sports Campus on Monday.
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Russia underlined their domination of synchronised swimming as they captured the technical solo and techinal team gold medals at the Scotstoun Sports Campus on Monday.
World champion Svetlana Kolesnichenko eased to the solo title and her team-mates proved much too strong for the opposition in the team event.
Mariia Shurochkina, the team's Olympic champion, summed up the success when she said: "We are pretty happy with the score, but it doesn't matter much because (our team coach) Tatiana Pokrovskaia smiled and that is amazing.
"She told us we were amazing. It feels like a happy new year because (only) one time in a year she says, 'OK, that was very good'."
Although the coach believed Shurochkina ought be more strict with the team members because she is their leader, the golden girl said: "I will not yell at them, but they should understand that we are the best in the world and we have to show that. Our coach asked me to be more tough on them."
One of the reasons for Russia's easy stride to the top of the podium is their technical prowess, with judges already knowing before Russia walk to poolside that they are about to see superior levels of difficulty and execution.
Mesmerising leg combinations were timed to perfection, with clean movements as they were able to deliver magical displays of height and power above the water to score of 94.6000 points.
Ukraine tried to keep up, but managed only 90.7439 points, although they always appear happy with silver, knowing they are not yet up there but are getting closer to the Russians.
The crowds produced noisy cheer for Spain and Italy in the battle for bronze. Spain were up first and scored 89.8716 points but the Italians overtook them with 90.3553 points.
Spain's Paula Ramirez Ibanez remained upbeat despite the disappointment."We did great and the coach didn't say anything (bad about the performance). This is the last time we swim together."
Kolesnichenko's 93.4816 score in the earlier technical solo event was two points clear of the 91.3517 total by Ukraine's Yelyzaveta Yakhno, with Linda Cerruti achieving 90.2282 to claim bronze for Italy.
