World champions Russia successfully defended their Olympic synchronised swimming team title today.
Japan had to settle for silver for the second straight Olympics with the bronze going to the United States.
The Russians had been leading after Thursday's technical programme and extended their lead in the free routine final.
The podium was a repeat of Wednesday's duet final with the Russians sweeping the synchronised titles for the second straight Olympics.
The star-studded Russian team included newly-crowned duet champions Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Yermakova and Sydney duet winners Olga Brusnikina and Maria Kisseleva.
Despite having to restart their 'Carnival' routine after a musical miscue seconds into the programme, the eight-member Russia team rose to the occasion scoring a string of maximum 10s to achieve 99.501 points.
Japan performed to a 'Samurai in Athens' by Mizuho Osawa and scored 98.501 with the once-dominant United States returning to the podium with 97.418 after missing out in the 2000 Sydney Games.
Filed by James Boylan
AFP 271751 GMT AUG 04
