d Fridays victory was never in doubt. A near-perfect score in the free routine meant none of the other competitors could possibly match the Russians total, allowing them to begin the celebrati

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Russias dominance of synchronized swimming remains unchallenged after it captured the team gold Friday to preserve a 16-year winning streak.Russia has won every Olympic gold medal on offer in the sport since 2000 and Fridays victory was never in doubt. A near-perfect score in the free routine meant none of the other competitors could possibly match the Russians total, allowing them to begin the celebrations early.Russia performed its routine to dramatic string music, wearing costumes depicting angel wings. The idea was to seem like a prayer, said Natalia Ishchenko, who along with Svetlana Romashina became a five-time Olympic gold medalist, matching former Russian great Anastasia Davydova as the most decorated synchronized swimmer of all time.I think its the best program in the history of synchronized swimming, Ishchenko said. We joked before the competition that there are five Olympic rings and we need five Olympic medals.Russias opponents have come and gone -- the U.S., a former power in the sport, has not even competed in the team event at the last two Olympics -- and few have even come close to contending for Olympic gold. Its hard to match the countrys combination of top training facilities, state funding and choreography experience drawn from the Russian ballet tradition.On Friday it wasnt even close. Russia won with 196.1439 points, with China taking silver at 192.9841 and Japan the bronze at 189.2056. The second- and third-place finishers were almost an afterthought for Ishchenko, who said of them merely that we always respect our opponents a lot and they help us to be better.Russia is already looking to the 2020 Olympics and the next generation of its swimming dynasty. Careers in the sport tend to be short, with the exception of the veterans Ishchenko and Romashina. Teammate Maria Shurochkina estimated that about half the team would not be around for Tokyo, but Russia would nevertheless be strong, the best in the world.A possible obstacle to Russias hold on the sport would be the introduction of male synchronized swimmers to the Olympicsl. Mixed-gender duets debuted at last years world championships to strong opposition from Russia, which won one of two titles in the new discipline but lost out to the U.S. for the other.Ishchenko said she was against the inclusion of mixed duets in the Olympics, fearing the long-established womens duet could be removed to make way.Its a tough question, she said. The female athletes in classical duets perform on a higher level. Now I think there are only three countries in the world at a good level in the mixed duet.Even so, Russia has already spent years training a mixed pair in case of an Olympic change, and it would be brave to bet against another Russian gold-medal sweep in 2020. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Thomas-Partey-Jersey/ . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Antoine-Griezmann-Jersey/ . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Lucas-Hernandez-Jersey/ . -- Its been a long road back for Sean Bergenheim. Custom Atletico Madrid Jerseys . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout. http://www.atleticomadridpro.com/Kids-Koke-Jersey/ . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Mike Anderson hasnt forgotten, and isnt ignoring, a difficult last season at Arkansas.Rather, the Razorbacks coach is simply treating the disappointing 16-16 record as a singular setback in whats been an otherwise growth-filled first five seasons following his return to the school where he was an assistant for 17 years. Anderson will have his first opportunity to see if last seasons struggles were an aberration or a sign of things to come when the new-look Razorbacks travel to Spain next week for a four-game exhibition schedule against European competition.Its a welcome trip for Anderson, who is eager to put last seasons up-and-down results behind him, and for Arkansas, which has added an influx of junior-college talent in search of returning to its NCAA Tournament level of two seasons ago.I feel the timing couldnt be any better for this kind of trip, Anderson said. For the junior-college kids, I think this is a real critical time for them to get acclimated.The Razorbacks have eight new players on their roster as they prepare for the 12-day trip that will see them play four games in three cities. Among those are three of the top JUCO recruits in the country, guards Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon along with forward Arlando Cook.Anderson had improved his win total each year at Arkansas until last season, but the departure of Southeastern Conference Player of the Year Bobby Portis and the offseason arrests of three players for using counterfeit money last summer helped put an end to that streak.Its a streak, however, a re-energized Anderson believes can begin again with a roster that has the potential to be as deep and talented as any hhes had.ddddddddddddWe had momentum going and kind of got knocked off the chart a little bit, that path, Anderson said. Now were back on that path, and I think this team has a chance to have some depth, some options. We didnt have options last year.The Razorbacks began the first of 10 practices this week in preparation for their trip to Spain. And while the group has gone through much of the offseason together, Anderson believes nothing will help bond his overhauled roster more than full-court action.Barford and Macon have been two of the most talked about Razorbacks since their arrivals in the offseason, and with just cause. The 6-foot-3 Barford led the country in junior-college scoring with an average of 26.2 points per game last season, while the 6-foot-3 Macon was close behind with an average of 23.9 points per game.Both know theyll have to prove themselves all over again at the SEC level, and that its critical to mesh quickly with returners such as sharp-shooter Dusty Hannahs and All-SEC center Moses Kingsley.Likewise, Hannahs -- who averaged a team-high 16.5 points per game -- is intent on working well with the newcomers, because were not going to deal with that (losing) ever again.Anderson has liked what hes seen so far from the new group, but he said theres still much to teach and he welcomes the upcoming trip as a chance to learn more about the new faces on his roster.Some of those newcomers, however, are bit more optimistic when evaluating the early practices.With this team, I think the Razorbacks are back, Macon said. Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys China NFL Hoodies Cheap NFL Jerseys Camo Wholesale Jerseys 2019 NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic NFL Jerseys From China Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL Gear NFL Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap Jerseys 2020 Cheap NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Autographed Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Jerseys ' ' '