Oly: Baldini triumph marred by attack on marathon leader

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-2004
Oly: Baldini triumph marred by attack on marathon leader

By John Mehaffey

ATHENS, Aug 29 Reuters - Italian Stefano Baldini won the Olympic men's marathon today
after an intruder dashed on to the course late in the race and bundled leader Vanderlei
de Lima into the crowd.

De Lima, who surged to the front before the halfway stage of the 42.195 kms race from
Marathon to the Panathinaiko stadium, managed to extricate himself from the spectators
but was clearly shaken by the incident. The unidentified man, who was dressed in a kilt,
was arrested and taken to a police station.

"I lost the gold medal at that moment," de Lima said. "I was afraid, I did not know
if the man who attacked was armed."

The twice Pan American champion had been tiring anyway at that stage and Baldini, a
former European champion and twice world bronze medallist, slipped into the lead at 40
kms and strode away to a comfortable win in two hours 10 minutes 55 seconds.

American Meb Keflezighi finished second in 2:11:29 with de Lima, who received a standing
ovation from the spectators in the venue of the 1896 Athens Games, taking the bronze medal.

The race began in 30 degrees, cooler than the temperatures for last Sunday's women's
race but still hot enough for the toughest race on the Olympic athletics programme.

The field remained bunched until 16 kms, when South African Hendrik Ramaala surged into the lead.

Ramaala was overtaken in turn by de Lima who led as the field passed halfway in 67
minutes 33 seconds.

At the 30 kms mark, Lima had extended his lead to 46 seconds, completing the previous
five kms in 15:30, the fastest split of the race.

But his margin steadily dwindled as the chasing group, headed by Baldini, drew closer
and the clash with the interloper at 37 kms threw him off his stride.

"Today I was sure because I am in top condition," Baldini said. "I was only afraid
in the first part because we were too slow.

"The way I ran today made it impossible for anybody to beat me."

Lee Troop was the leading Australian in 27th position while Nicholas Harrison was 45th
and Sisay Bezabah was 60th.

Reuters nh,

KEYWORD: OLY MARATHON DAYLEAD

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.