Synchornized swimmers Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon (right) and Elise MarcotteMike Ridewood/The Canadian Press
Lane markers and starting blocks have given way to nose clips and classical music at the Olympic Aquatic Centre as the synchronized swimming competition nears its first medal final: the duets event.
And Canada is in the hunt.
Quebec-based duo Marie-Pier Boudreau-Gagnon and Elise Marcotte were fourth after Sunday's qualification round's technical routine.
They scored 94.500 points in the preliminary free program to consolidate their hold on fourth, they are well-positioned going into Tuesday's medal final free routine.
Because the marks from Sunday's technical elements are added to the final round score, the Canadians could take a run at the podium, although the top-ranked Russians have a healthy lead.
China and Spain sit second and third, Canada is 3.24 points adrift of the bronze medal position.
Both Marcotte, from Quebec City, and Boudreau-Gagnon, from Riviere-du-Loup, Que., were part of the Canadian squad that finished fourth in the team competition at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.