Source: Xinhua

08-17-2008 15:01

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Australia led all the way to win the Olympic men's double sculls gold, contributing the second rowing gold to the team on Saturday.

David Crawshay and Scott Brennan of Australia attend the awarding ceremony of Men's Double Sculls Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. David Crawshay and Scott Brennan won the gold medal of the event. (Xinhua Photo)

David Crawshay and Scott Brennan of Australia attend the awarding 
ceremony of Men's Double Sculls Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic 
Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, 
China, Aug. 16, 2008. David Crawshay and Scott Brennan won the 
gold medal of the event. (Xinhua Photo)

The crew of David Crawshay and Scott Brennan won in 6 minutes, 27.77 seconds, holding off the fast sprinting Tonu Endrekson and Juri Jaanson of Estonia who won silver in 6:29.05. Matthew Wells and Stephen Rowbotham of Britain took the bronze in 6:29.10.

Australia earlier retained the men's pair title, earning the third Olympic gold medal for rowing great Drew Ginn.

The win in the doubles came as a huge surprise for the Australians as they managed to upset strong favorites France, Slovenia, and New Zealand.

"I honestly can't believe it just happened. It's all a blur, a very exhausting blur," Brennan said emotionally shortly after the race.