THE CANADIAN PRESS
BEIJING — Russia won its third straight Olympic gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics all-around group.
The team scored 35.550 on Sunday to edge China, which had 35.225 for the silver. Belarus got the bronze with 34.900.
Russia had the high score of 17.750 in the five-rope rotation and held the lead by posting a competition-high 17.800 on the three hoops and two clubs routine.
"My coach is very strict with us and sets high goals for us," Russia’s Elena Posevina said. "I almost cried. It’s not easy to win the gold medal."
It marks a gold-medal sweep in the competition for Russia after Evgeniya Kanaeva won the individual event Saturday.
It was China’s first Olympic medal in the rhythmic team competition.
"The silver medal is unexpected," China’s Zhang Shuo said. "Our efforts have paid off."
Zhang said China’s goal for this competition was to improve their artistic scores, which are usually its weakness.
"I knew the Russian and Belarusian teams are at a higher level, but we have our style," she said. "We have many things to learn from them. We used Peking Opera music, which creates a nice atmosphere for the spectators."
