Synchronized swimming is known as an elegant "water ballet" in competitive aquatics. Since Russia surpassed America as the world leader of synchronized swimming, they've also gained a superior team position over other nations as well. The outstanding Russian team isn't going to permit any competitors to win a gold medal easily.
The Russian aquatic team won 4 gold medals during the Sydney and Athens Olympic Games. During the multiple-timed synchronized swimming world cup and championship after the Athens Olympics, they won gold medals in both the team and the duet competition categories.
The Russians often scored a perfect 10 in performance, winning hands down over everyone else. In both the team and duet competitions for the synchronized swimming world cup and the championship after Athens Olympics, the Russians nearly always achieved 99 or higher. It seemed like no one could surpass them.
The charmed duo Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova have perfected the art of synchronized swimming. They've won gold medals in the Olympic Games and they are world champions several times over. The pair has defended their title time-and-time again against other competitors, including their fellow Russian senior players Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kisseleva. Truly, Davydova's and Ermalova's flawless presentations have dazzled referees and audiences alike.
(China.org.cn by Wu Huanshu, May 28, 2008)