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Kaniskina battles rain to walk off with 20km gold
World champion Olga Kaniskina battled through heavy rain to set a new Olympic record and claim gold in the women's 20km walk.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:42 August 21, 2008
Beijing: World champion Olga Kaniskina battled through heavy rain to set a new Olympic record and claim gold in the women's 20km walk.
The Russian led the race from start from finish and had a 20-second lead before the athletes left the Bird's Nest stadium at the start of the race.
She finished in one hour 26 minutes and 31 seconds, 36 seconds ahead of second placed Norwegian Kjersti Platzer. Britain's Johanna Jackson finished 22nd in 1:31:33, a new British record.
"I cannot believe it," said the 23-year-old from Middlesbrough. "I walked the race of my life and I am over the moon to have broken the record in the Olympic final. I did not get the top 20 position I wanted but it was too fast. Now I want to build for 2012."
The bronze medal went to Italian Elisa Rigaudo after a late surge through the field.
Not affected
Kaniskina insisted the only reason she had not broken the world record set by compatriot Olimpiada Ivanova in 2005 was the rain. But she said the weather had not otherwise affected her performance.
"It had no influence on me," she said. "It was better than a sunny and hot day. I didn't feel it was very slippery. I was so glad when I woke up and it was pouring with rain, although I wouldn't have minded hot conditions as I may have been able to pick a few more off."
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