London Olympics gymnastics: Russia win rhythmic gymnastics gold

London: Russia emphatically captured the rhythmic gymnastics gold at the London Olympics Tuesday, finishing well clear of runners-up Belarus.

The Russians won with a total score of 57.000 after being awarded 28.300 for their spectacular final performance with ribbons and hoops. Belarus finished second with a total of 55.500 points after scoring 27.675 on the final rotation, enough to leapfrog Italy and take the silver. Italy was awarded 27.325 in the final for a total of 55.450. This was Russia`s second gold in rhythmic gymnastics as Beijing gold medallist Evgenia Kanaeva defended her Olympic title in the individual all-around category Saturday with four exquisite performances. IANS