ACOG - News - IBM

(04 August 1996; Day 16 of the Olympic Games)

THUGWANE Wins Marathon

Athletics

(Atlanta, GA) -- 122 names were declared for the marathon, which started in the Olympic Stadium at 7:00 on a humid morning.

Race notes:

THUGWANE became South Africa's first Olympic champion at athletics since their return to international competition - and emulated Ken McARTHUR, the 1912 marathon champion.

1. THUGWANE 2:12:36; 2, LEE 2:12:38, 3, WAINAINA 2:12:44, 4, FIZ 2:13:20, 5. NERURKAR 2:13:39, 6. SILVA 2:14:29, 7. MONEGHETTI 2:124:35, 8. PAREDES 2:14:55.

The 3-second gap between 1st and 2nd is the closest in Olympic history


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.