Imura return boosts Japan's synchro hopes

Masayo Imura (forground), the coach of Japan's synchronised swimming team, reviews a training video with her swimmers at a pool at the Japan Institute of Sport Science in Tokyo, Japan, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

TOKYO (Reuters) - The return of Masayo Imura, known as the "mother" of Japanese synchronised swimming, has bolstered the country's hopes ahead of this year's Olympic Games to such an extent the team will be considered "failures" if they return from Rio without a medal.

Japan won bronze when the team event was added to the programme at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and took silver in Sydney and in Athens four years later. They also won duet bronze from 1984 to 1992 and silver in 2000 and 2004.