Anger Spurs Pole To Walk Double

Poland's Robert Korzeniowski used his anger to spur him to the Olympic 50 kilometer walk gold medal on Friday, becoming the first man in history to win both walking events at the same Games. Korzeniowski, the defending champion at 50km, was furious after being given a red-card warning by a judge for lifting. He burst away in the closing stages to win 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. Korzeniowski, who won the 20km race a week earlier when initial winner Bernardo Segura of Mexico was disqualified - also for lifting (failing to maintain continuous contact with the ground) - argued his red card had been unfair. 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 kilometers.