Olga BRUSNIKINA

Just two months before the Sydney Olympics, Olga Brusnikina became European Champion in the duet. But her team mate Kiselyova tested positive for ephedrine, and they were disqualified. A three-month suspension loomed, but the Russian federation decreased the penalty to a single month, allowing the couple to compete in Australia. There, they won the gold in a superior manner, scoring a 100% in the free program. Days later, the two also added the team gold. In 2004, Brusnikina and Kiselyova became the first synchronized swimmers to win three Olympic gold medals when they repeated their team win. In World championships, Brusnikina has won titles in all three synchronized events: solo (2001), duet (1998) and team (1998 and 2003).