Russia´s Ilchenko snatches first Olympic open water gold

Source: Xinhua | 08-20-2008 13:07

BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Larisa Ilchenko pulled away from her chasers in the women's marathon 10-kilometer swimming here Wednesday, snatching the first Olympic gold in open water swimming.

Larisa Ilchenko of Russia gears up to the finish line during  women's marathon 10km competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic  Games swimming event in Beijing, China, Aug. 20, 2008. Larisa  Ilchenko of Russia won the gold medal of the event.(Xinhua)

Ilchenko, who followed British swimmers Cassandra Patten and Keri-Anne Payne during most part of the race, successfully overtook the two British after the last turn and finished the race in one hour 59 minutes and 27.7 seconds.

British Payne proved herself as an outstanding long distance swimmer with a silver in 1:59:29.2. Payne finished with a disappointing 11th position at the 2007 World Championships after being stung in the mouth by a jellyfish while leading the 10km open water event.

World championships silver medalist Patten won bronze in 1:59:31.0.

Editor:Wang Shuqin