THUGWANE Pulls Away in End to Win South Africa's First Gold Medal
Winning South Africa's first athletics gold medal of the Olympic Games, Josia THUGWANE drew away from LEE Bong-Ju of Korea over the final kilometer for the men's marathon gold medal.
A large pack of runners went out extremely conservatively in relatively cool but humid conditions in Atlanta, with more than 50 runners bunched together at 10 kilometers. By the midway point, reached in a slow 1:07:36, the group had dwindled only to half of its original size, with THUGWANE and the other eventual medal winners leading the pack.
THUGWANE and South African teammate Gert THYS began pushing the pace at 30 kilometers, a move that broke up the pack, although LEE covered the move over the next kilometer. WAINAINA and eventual fourth placer Martin FIZ (ESP) remained 50 meters back.
WAINAINA, who lives and trains in Japan, replaced a fading THYS in the lead group as LEE began a surge that dropped no one at 38 kilometers. Two kilometers later, it was THUGWANE who began his winning drive, putting the Kenyan 20 meters off the pace and LEE struggling to maintain his medal spot. THUGWANE controlled the race the rest of the way, and the first three places were never in doubt as the runners entered Olympic Stadium, although the South African's 3-second victory edge was the closest in Olympic history.
THUGWANE covered the second half of his race in 1:05:00, under a thick layer of haze with the occasional appearance of sunshine on thedemanding course. Behind the medalists, fourth placer FIZ was well back at 2:13:20, with Richard NERURKAR (GBR) in fifth at 2:13.39 and German SILVA (MEX) sixth at 2:14:29
Medalists - Gold - Josia THUGWANE (RSA), 2:12:36; Silver - LEE Bong-Ju (KOR), 2:12:39; Bronze - Eric WAINAINA (KEN), 2:12:44.
"I realized I had a chance at 30 kilometers. I felt very strong then, and knew that if anyone broke with us then I could go with them," said winner THUGWANE.
"This medal means that the problems are over in our country. We are free to run and join the international community," he continued.
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