O ugandês Stephen Kiprotich conquistou hoje a medalha de ouro da maratona masculina dos Jogos Olímpicos Londres 2012, ao concluir a prova com o tempo de 2:08.01 horas.
Antigo corredor de obstáculos, Kiprotich estragou a prevista queniana, ao efetuar um ataque demolidor a cerca de cinco quilómetros da meta, deixando os seus dois oponentes quenianos sem resposta, conquistando assim a segunda medalha de ouro olímpica para o seu país, depois de John Akii-Bua sagrar-se campeão nos 400 metros barreiras, em 1972.
Kiprotich sucede ao queniano Samuel Wanjiru, vencedor em Pequim 2008 e que morreu em 2011, aos 24 anos, mantendo-se assim como o único do seu país a ter conquistado o ouro olímpico.
Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich stunned the Kenyan challenge to clinch a surprise Olympic gold medal in the marathon on The Mall today. The 23-year-old burst past Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang around the 38-kilometre mark to leave his two rivals trailing and claim only Uganda’s second ever Olympic gold in athletics.
Kiprotich followed in the footsteps of his compatriot John Akii-Bua, who was 400 metres hurdles champion 40 years ago, and crossed the line in two hours, eight minutes and one second. Kirui took the silver, 26 seconds adrift, and long-time leader Kipsang finished with the bronze. Kipsang, the London Marathon winner, made an early move to try to break up the lead group, building a 21-second lead at one point.
It was a high-risk strategy in such warm conditions, though, and he paid for it as the race went on as he started to look less and less comfortable. He missed a drinks stop and by the 25km mark his advantage was down to seven seconds.
Kenyan world champion Kirui and Kiprotich soon joined the leader to make it a three-way battle for the gold medal.
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