Poland’s Korzeniowski walks into history books

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Sydney: Poland's Robert Korzeniowski took the Olympic 50 km walk gold medal on Friday to become the first man in history to win both walking events at the same Games.

Korzeniowski, the defending champion at 50 km, won the 20 km version a week ago when Bernardo Segura of Mexico was disqualified.

In Friday's race, the Pole finished in three hours 42 minutes 22 seconds, one minute and 18 seconds ahead of Latvian Aigars Fadejevs. Mexican Joel Sanchez was third, a further 56 seconds back.

Despite an early morning start, the walkers had to deal with hot conditions as sunny skies returned to Sydney after two days of wet weather.

Korzeniowski was with the leaders from the start and looked strong and fresh as the group thinned out.

By 35 km a pack of four had broken clear -- Korzeniowski, Australian Nathan Deakes and Joel and German Sanchez of Mexico.

But German Sanchez dropped back before being disqualified, getting his third and final red card for lifting (failing to maintain continuous contact with the ground) less than 10 km from the end.

Deakes also fell away and was caught by Fadejevs, leaving Korzeniowski and Joel Sanchez in front.

The Pole then increased the pace and quickly opened a lead which stretched to almost a minute after 45 km.

With only one red card to his name, he settled into a steady rhythm to avoid a repeat of the 1992 Games when he was disqualified approaching the stadium while in second.

He had no need to worry. Sanchez was struggling, allowing Fadejevs to overhaul him four kilometres from the stadium.

After finishing, Korzeniowski dropped to his knees and kissed the track. His place in Olympic history is not assured yet, however, as Segura is appealing against his 20 km disqualification. The case is being heard later on Friday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The women's race also ended in controversy on Thursday when three walkers, all leading at the time, were disqualified in the final stages, with Australian Jane Saville reaching the stadium entrance before being stopped by a road-side judge.

The 50 km walk was first held in 1932 with the shorter version added in 1956. Previous near-misses in the chase for the double walk gold include Raul Gonzalez Rodriguez of Mexico, who won 20 km gold and 50km silver in 1984, and Ronald Weigel of the former East Germany, who won silver in both events in 1988.

(Poland's Robert Korzeniowski kneels on the track to celebrate winning the 50 km walk)

(c) Reuters Limited.