Duet, Women

The Russian duo of Olga Brusnikina and Mariya Kiselyeva had won the 1998 World Championships and the 1999 World Cup. They were led by Brusnikina who was solo champion in both years. Two months before the Sydney Olympics, they seemed to have won the European Championships, only to have their title removed when Kiselyeva tested posted for ephedrine. The Russian Federation commuted the normal three-month suspension which allowed Kiselyeva and Brusnikina to compete in Sydney. Once there, the competition was a mere formality as they won without being challenged. The Japanese team of Miya Tachibana and Miho Takeda won the silver medal, keeping intact the Japanese record of winning a medal in every Olympic synchronized swimming event. Kiselyeva later hosted the quiz show “The Weakest Link” on Russian television.