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Olympic Weightlifting Recaps: 27 July (Day 8)

Men's 91kg Weightlifting Finals

PETROV Sets World Record, Wins Gold

Aleksey PETROV (RUS) set a world and Olympic record in the snatch, then proceeded to win the gold medal in the 91kg event held at the Georgia World Congress Center. PETROV lifted 187.5kg in the snatch, breaking his own world record of 186.0, set in November 1994. After lifting 215.0 in the clean and jerk to assure himself of the gold medal, he added weight significantly before failing at two attempts at the Olympic total record of 410.0. His winning total was 402.5.

Leonidas KOKAS (GRE) and Oliver CARUSO (GER) and Sunay BULUT (TUR) all lifted totals of 390.0. KOKAS won the silver and CARUSO the bronze because, in ties, the higher finishes go to those of lower bodyweight.

PETROV's world record was the 14th set in weightlifting at the 1996 Olympic Games.

Final Results: Gold - Aleksey PETROV (RUS) 402.5; Silver - Leonidas KOKAS (GRE) 390.0; Bronze - Oliver CARUSO (GER) 390.0.

"Today was a surprise for me," said KOKAS. "I had an operation on my back six months ago and did not train for a long time. After this, I think I made it back."


91 kg Group B

Luna Sets Venezuelan Record; Hopes for Medal

Despite competing in Group B, Venezuela's Julio LUNA held out hopes of capturing the bronze medal in the 91 kg weightlifting division at the Centennial Olympic Games. Needing a personal best on his last attempt of the competition, LUNA cleaned and jerked a national record 210 kg (462.75 lbs) to pass Martin TESOVIC of Slovakia for first place. Though medalists very rarely emerge from Group B, if LUNA's total is not surpassed by at least three lifters in Saturday afternoon's Group A session, he would earn a medal. TESOVIC had successfully lifted 210 kg moments earlier to take the lead and finished second to LUNA with a total of 372.5 (821 lbs). Marek MASLANY of Poland was third with 370 kg (815.5 lbs). Tom GOUGH of the United States led after the snatch portion of the competition after setting a new American record at 167.5 kg (369.25 lbs). GOUGH also set a personal best in the clean and jerk at 200 kg (440.75 lbs) but failed at 205 kg and settled for fourth place with a total of 367.5 (810 lbs).

91 kg Group B results: 1. Julio Luna (VEN) 375 kg (826.5 lbs); 2. Martin TESOVIC (SLK) 372.5 (821 lbs); 3. Marek MASLANY (POL) 370 kg (815.5 lbs); 4. Tom GOUGH (USA) 367.5 (810 lbs).

``I'm hoping for a bronze medal for Venezuela,'' Julio LUNA said after setting a national record in 91 kg weightlifting Saturday. ``I was always going for a personal best in this group and I did it.''

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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Olympic Factoid
An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.