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Russia sealed a fifth successive gold in the final of the synchronised swimming team routine at the Rio 2016 Olympics on Friday, where China clinched the silver medal and Japan took the bronze.
The execution with which Russia performed their performance was good enough to record an incredible score of 196.1439, more than three points more than runners-up China.
Russia's win means the United States are still the only other country ever to have won gold in the synchronised swimming team routine event, all the way back at Atlanta 1996.
Although each of the eight finalists impressed in their last display, it was ultimately Russia who ended a cut above the rest, with their execution and artistic impression trumping all others in the field.
| Position | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 196.1439 |
| 2 | China | 192.9841 |
| 3 | Japan | 189.2056 |
| 4 | Ukraine | 188.6080 |
| 5 | Italy | 183.3809 |
| 6 | Brazil | 171.9985 |
| 7 | Egypt | 155.5505 |
| 8 | Australia | 149.5000 |
Ukraine came within inches of taking their spot on the podium, but Japan did enough in the session's closing performance to snag themselves third and take their first team routine medal since Athens 2004.
Their final routine was enough to round off a final score of 189.2056, not even a full point above the Ukrainians, who were hoping their score of 188.6080 would be sufficient to bag a medal spot.
Russia's victory also brought the nation their 13th gold of Rio 2016, a positive spin on an otherwise gloomy Games for the country, who saw all their track and field athletes banned from participating due to the uncovering of a state-funded doping program.
Former New York Jets tight end Anthony Becht was among those taking in the events at the Maria Lenk Aquatic Center, and he couldn't help but state his admiration for those taking part:
Russia pulled their routine off without so much as a crack or a quiver in form, which is to be expected of a nation that's dominated this field for almost two decades.
Japan were understandably proud of their bronze achievement, too, and the Female Coaching Network attested to their third-place finish coming as a result of long-term tactical management:
All of the Japanese team welled up after it was announced they'd done enough to take bronze, while the Russians looked positively nonchalant with their gold feat.
Another Games, another gold for Russia in team synchronised swimming, where not so much as a foot or a splash was put wrong en route to a fifth successive place atop the podium.
