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Friday, September 29
U.S. fails to medal for first time
Associated Press
SYDNEY, Australia -- The United States' reign as the world's
first synchronized swimming superpower ended Friday as the
Americans failed to win a medal for the first time since the sport
joined the Olympics in 1984.
Russia won the team competition with a witch-themed routine,
adding to the gold medal it picked up in duet three days earlier.
The Russians scored 99.146 out of a possible 100 points. They
earned two perfect 10s for technical marks and two 10s for artistic
impression, with a variety of pattern changes, lifts and throws.
"We wanted to make it very visual, including the swimsuits and
hairstyles," said Maria Kisseleva, who, along with Olga
Brusnikina, won the duet gold. "I believe it was a masterpiece. If
it was not a masterpiece, we would not have won gold."
Japan took silver with 98.860. Canada was third at 97.357.
"The Japanese were breathing down our necks," Kisseleva said.
"We were a little uncertain, but it did not affect our
performance, and now our emotions are overflowing."
The Americans, who came in as defending champions, finished
fifth at 96.104. France was fourth at 96.467.
"I know we did the best job we could," said Kristina Lum, of
Santa Clara, Calif. "What else can we do?"
Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh placed fourth in duet Tuesday,
ending the United States' incredible run of capturing a medal in
every synchronized event since it became an Olympic sport in Los
Angeles 16 years ago.
"The U.S. has been on top for so long, I think everyone is very
happy to push it down," said Kozlova, a Russian who became a U.S.
citizen nearly a year ago.
The eight Americans began the free routine in fifth place after
a synchronization blunder marred their train-themed technical
routine, which accounts for 35 percent.
Choosing a storm theme for the free routine, the Americans
opened with a double tower lift, in which two swimmers -- one on top
of the other -- are hoisted out of the water by their underwater
teammates.
"Everything looked so together, so strong," said Heather
Pease-Olson, who turned 25 on Friday. "I don't think we could have
asked for a better-feeling swim."
The judges disagreed, scoring the United States no higher than
9.7 on technique and artistic impression.
"I thought it was almost perfect. It was a great swim,"
Kozlova said. "I'm not happy with the scores, but we gave it all
we could."
The U.S. team was comprised of Carrie Barton, Tammy
Cleland-McGregor, Bridget Finn, Kozlova, Lum, Elicia Marshall,
Pease-Olson and Kim Wurzel.
Pease-Olson, who earned a gold medal in Atlanta, said the
Americans were better than they were four years ago.
"I was looking back at the film from '96 and I could see a lot
of mistakes, but we still got perfect scores except for one 9.9,"
she said. "I definitely felt like we were more together today than
we were then."
Performing a routine titled "The Bird of Wonder," Japan
received one 10 for technique -- from the Japanese judge -- and four
10s for artistic impression.
The free routine, worth 65 percent of the final score, is more
creative than the technical portion, in which teams are required to
perform identical movements.
Teams can perform any lifts, throws and configurations they want
in the five-minute free.
The team event was added to the Olympic program in Atlanta.
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