Chinese athletes continue to make a big splash at the World Swimming Championships in Rome. After taking 2 earlier bronze medals, the Chinese women went one step higher with a silver in the team free combination synchronized swimming event. The Spanish team won the gold.
Swimming to the melodies of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, the 10 Chinese teammates put on a near perfect performance in the event that combines solo, duet and team elements of synchronized swimming. It's a relatively new discipline that debuted during the Barcleona world swimming championships in 2003, and China's prior best result was 5th place.
The team had already claimed 2 bronze medals in the duet and technical events. But Chinese chances for another medal got a boost when two-time and defending world champions Russia failed to take part in this event, and their water ballet dazzled the crowd in Rome. China's routine included a Black Swan solo from swimmer Huang Xuechen, Jiang Wenwen and Jiang Tingting's duet, the Four Little Swans' humorous dance, and some well-synchronized team action during the three minute show.
