Flying with water wings: The beauty and stunning acrobatics of synchronised swimmers as they battle it out for Olympic gold

• Synchronised swimming is one of just two events at London 2012 in which all the competitors are female
• First time Great Britain has competed in the synchronised swimming team event in the Olympics
• Russia's synchronised swimmers swept to gold on today with an impeccably executed team routine
• China, an emerging force in the sport, pipped Spain to claim silver

As their glamorous costumes glistened in the water today, the Olympic synchronised swimmers made their sport look deceptively graceful from the poolside.
But they were using their strength, pinpoint precision and stamina to ensure their movements flowed against the backdrop of the aqua blue water at the Aquatics Centre.
Listening intently to the music played out through underwater speakers, they exercised their tremendous breath control, knowing execution is crucial to their success.

Double crab: Spain's team compete in the team free routine final during the synchronised swimming competition

Dancing on water:As their glamourous costumes glistened in the water today, the Olympic synchronised swimmers made their sport look deceptively graceful from the poolside

Graceful: One of the Spanish competitors back flips through the water elegantly

Mid-flight: A synchronised swimmier representing Egypt flies through the air like a bird

Perfection: The team from China hold a pose in the pool. The Chinese won a silver medal earlier in the week and are hotly tipped to be amongst the medalists once again

Synchronised swimming is one of two Olympic disciplines contested only by women - the other is rhythmic gymnastics.
After a closely-fought battle Russia's synchronised swimmers swept to gold today with an impeccably executed team routine punctuated by military drumbeats and spectacular acrobatic jumps, marking their fourth consecutive clean sweep at the Games.

 

China, an emerging force in the sport, pipped Spain to claim silver.
The Russians, who have won every duet and team gold since the Sydney Games, scored 98.93 points out of a possible 100 for their 'free' routine, a sequence which is not prescribed and in which swimmers show off their creative and technical skills.

Flipping and spinning: Teams took to the water today to show off their skills in the water

Made to move: An Egyptian swimmer throws her arms back in time with the music

Today's result was added to their top-scoring routine in the team technical round, taking them to a total of 197.03 points and an Olympic title.

Russia had already won gold in the synchronised swimming duet segment earlier this week.

China have shown dramatic improvement under Japanese-born coach Masayo Imura, known as the 'mother of synchro' and scored 194.01 points to take the country's first silver in the sport.

Spain, silver medallists in the duet segment, were denied second spot by a fractionally lower synchronisation score than their Chinese rivals, despite an ocean-inspired routine - swimmers in fish-scale suits - that had the crowd roaring approval at movements imitating crab pincers and ocean waves.

Japan missed out on the podium, ending the Games without a synchronised swimming medal for the first time since the sport was introduced at the Olympic Games in 1984.

Underwater fun: Australia's team are seen underwater as they perform in the Aquatic Centre

All together: Canada's team line up and point their toes in the air as they do a scissor moment in their routine

Britain's synchronised swimmers today came in sixth place in their first ever Olympics, meeting the target set by their coach.
The squad performed their Peter Pan-themed free routine today, achieving a combined score of 175.4 including yesterday's technical piece.
Jennifer Knobbs, 23, said she was pleased with how the ground-breaking team had done.
'It was an incredible performance, all our highlights functioned and we really felt as a team underwater. Hearing the crowd cheering, supporting us the whole way, really gives you the boost to perform that much more.'

Dress to impress: The costumes of all the competitors were deigned to glisten in the water and be eye-catching

Determined: Precision and strength are both key skills for competitors in the sport

Success: China have shown dramatic improvement under Japanese-born coach Masayo Imura, known as the 'mother of synchro' and scored 194.01 points to take the country's first silver in the sport

The eight-strong British team, pinning their medal hopes on Rio, could not compete with the all-conquering Russian team, who won gold today having done the same in Beijing. China took silver and Spain bronze.
Katie Skelton, 24, was also upbeat about the final result.
'It was a really strong performance, all our highlights worked and we got a really good score.
'We've shown how strong we are and we've improved so much over the last few years. It stands us in good stead for the future.'
British synchronised swimming was given a marked boost in 2007, with lottery funding granted after the successful bid for the London Games.

Great Britain show a team effort as they hold one of their competitors in the air

They are using their strength, endurance and flexibility to ensure their movements flow against the backdrop of the aqua blue water at the Aquatics Centre

Vicky Lucass, 21, said this was vital to the team, who were able to bring in Canadian coach Biz Price.
She said: 'It's made a huge difference. We've been able to bring in Biz Price, get the best coaches in the world, bring in their ideas and knowledge. We've centralised as well, training eight hours a day together every day and that's played a big part.'
The team are now focused on next year's World Championships and beyond that, the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Price said: 'We have a couple of competitions this year, then it's preparing for the World Championships in Barcelona. We just want to keep building up.
'For us the weakest thing is artistic, that's what we really need to step up on in the future. That's what our lowest score was here, for the artistic side, so that's what we really want to work on.
'It's a really young group, the oldest is 24 and the youngest is 18. So now it's onwards to Rio.'

Smiles all round: Australia beam as they take to the water

Skill: The sport requires competitors to hold their beneath for long periods under the water

Unity: The Canadian team put on a show of underwater elegance much to the delight of the London crowds at the Aquatics Centre

Not rusty: The Spanish team dazzled the London crowds with their metallic style costumes

Toe-curling: The Russia girls try to hold a pose in the synchronised swimming despite some members of the team clearly having their faces submerged

Bird's eye view: The Egyptian synchro team - as seen from above - clearly enjoyed themselves in the pool despite the strenuous activity

High hopes: Russia had already won gold in the synchronised swimming duet segment earlier this week

Going for gold: Britain's team concentrate on their moves in the final

Best foot forward: Canada show their moves in their fluorescent pink costumes