Olympics swimming: Russia retain synchronised title, with GB sixth

Russia completed a clean sweep of synchronised swimming gold medals for the fourth successive Olympics, with victory in the London 2012 team event.

The reigning world champions, who have won every gold in both the team and duet events since the 2000 Games in Sydney, scored 197.030 points.

China took silver with 194.010, while Spain earned the bronze with 193.120.

Great Britain, competing in the sport at the Olympics for the first time, finished sixth, scoring 175.440.

That was in line with the target they had been set before the competition by coach Biz Price.

Russia had led overnight after scoring 98.100 out of a maximum 100 in Thursday's technical routine, in which teams of eight swimmers had to dance a sequence that included a list of required moves.

They achieved an even higher score of 98.930 in Friday's free routine, made up of moves of each team's choice, to ensure the title.

Britain, who had been sixth after the technical round with 87.300 points, scored 88.140 in their Peter Pan-themed free routine, performed to a backing track featuring the voice of West End actor and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em star Michael Crawford.

The actor was in the crowd at the Aquatics Centre to cheer on the British team.

Japan failed to win a medal in synchronised swimming for the first time since the sport was added to the Olympics in 1984, finishing fifth.