China's synchronized swimming on the rise

SHANGHAI - The Chinese synchronized swimming team, which aims to flourish at next year's London Olympics, has been motivated by a breakthrough in a non-Olympic event at the 14th FINA World Championships.

Always driven by its Games' programs, China's synchronized swimming team didn't expect too much in the non-Olympic solo discipline at the worlds, but was inspired after young swimmer Huang Xuechen claiming its first championships silver medal here on July 17. On Monday, Huang added another silver medal in the technical duets with Liu Ou. The event was won by Russia's Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina.

"She executed her show to perfection tonight," said Huang's personal coach, Zhang Xiaolei.