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U.S. in fourth after technical routine Latest: Sunday October 08, 2000 05:51 PM
SYDNEY, Australia (CNNSI.com) -- Anna Kozlova and Tuesday Middaugh combined to place fourth for the United States in the synchronized swimming duet competition on Sunday behind Russia, Japan and France. Kozlova and Middaugh were still in medal contention, standing just a few tenths behind third-place France after the technical routine. Russia, which hasn't lost a duet since 1997, and Japan were first and second, respectively. The duet competition continues for the next two days, with the field cut to 12 on Monday, and then the final freestyle worth 65 percent of the total score on Tuesday. Kozlova is one of the few Olympic athletes competing for a second nation. Eight years ago at the Barcelona Games, she came in fourth for the Unified team as a Russian. After emigrating to the United States the following year, then patiently waiting to gain her citizenship last October, she is finally able to compete internationally again. This is her first major championship since becoming eligible for the United States. She is quick to cite the similarities and differences of competing in the Olympics as a Russian and an American. "Competition is competition. When you compete you want to perform the same way," Kozlova said. "But it not the same way now, because I think Americans are the best competitors. They have fun when they train. They have a team spirit that not too many countries have. They make it brighter and more exciting." Back in the former Soviet Union, sports were regarded more as a job rather than a pastime. That was part of the reason Kozlova wanted to move. When Kozlova came to Santa Clara, Calif., in August 1993 for the wedding of an American swimmer, she stayed. While she waited for citizenship, she still competed nationally and completed a sweep of solo, duet and team for three of the last four years; nationals were an open event. Now she is back at the Olympics. Coincidentally, a number of her former teammates from Russia are either competing or coaching for other countries. She and Middaugh, of Riverside, Calif., had 33.810 points. France is third with 33.997. Similar to figure skating, the technical portion had eight required elements to music of the competitors' choice. It is marked on artistic and technical merit. To a percussion version of a song from the musical "FOS" specially arranged for them, the Americans had marks of 9.6 through 9.8 from the 10 judges. Russia, using the traditional folk song "Kalinka," led with 34.58, scoring nearly all 9.9s out of a possible 10. The team competition, which the United States won in Atlanta, begins on Thursday. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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