Sunday August 5, 2012
SWITZERLAND’S Nicola Spirig edged a desperate dash to the line to win gold in the women’s triathlon in the sport’s first photo-finish at the Olympics yesterday.
After a ferocious sprint finish in a packed Hyde Park, both Spirig and Lisa Norden of Sweden were given the same time of 1’59:48.
The judges examined the photographic evidence and said Spirig’s winning margin was less than 15cm.
Two seconds back, Erin Densham of Australia won the bronze medal, having been in contention for gold until the final 200m of an enthralling duel.
“I had a feeling but I wasn’t really sure,” the 30-year-old Spirig said when asked if she knew she had won the gold medal.
The swimming (1.5km), cycling (43km) and running (10km) took in some of the British capital’s most famous landmarks, including the Buckingham Palace. — Reuters