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29th Olympic Games - JO
Beijing, China, August 9-23, 2008
Main Page Results Previous Event Next Event
Event 21 - August 17: Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit Final
Romero continues British stranglehold on track Games
By Rob Jones in Beijing
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In the third-place race Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine) beat Alison Shanks (New Zealand). Kalitovska scored a 3'31"413.
The third day of track competition saw the Brits continue their dominance on the boards. In the one medal final event - the women's individual pursuit - Great Britain finished one - two, with world champion Rebecca Romero taking the gold and Wendy Houvenaghel the silver. Lesya Kalitovska of the Ukraine won the bronze medal over Alison Shanks of New Zealand.
Romero started fast in the 3,000 metre race, and then cruised home to win in 3:28.321, well off Sarah Ulmer's record of 3:24.537, set at the Athens Games four years ago. Her winning margin was just over two seconds, but initially, she didn't realize that she had won, gesturing the question to support staff. Once she realized that she had, indeed, taken the gold medal, Romero pumped her fist and then headed to the rail to be mobbed by her family
"Right now, I'm trying to hold it together; what an immense achievement. I had to search deep inside, and fight for this, and to do what I knew I was capable of," said Romero. "Wendy gave me a challenge all the way. We did it together, we filled the top two spots. Two years ago, we said it would be us two."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Casey Gibson/www.cbgphoto.com
- Rebecca Romero celebrates after beating her Great Britain compatriot Wendy Houvenaghel.
- Wendy Houvenaghel finished second in the pursuit.
- Bronze medalist Lesya Kalitovska starts on her pursuit.
- Rebecca Romero on her gold medal pursuit ride.
- The Women's pursuit podium with the British flag o double display.
Images by Rob Jones/www.canadiancyclist.com
- Alison Shanks (New Zealand) keeps cool before the start of her race.
- Alison Shanks (New Zealand) had the faster last 1000M, but it wasn't enough for a medal.
- Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine) started fast and hung on for bronze.
- Alison Shanks (New Zealand) had a strong finish, but it wasn't enough for bronze.
- Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine) took the bronze.
- Rebecca Romero gave Great Britain its fourth gold on the track.
- Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) now holds the UCI World Track Championships and Olympic Games titles.
- Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) had to settle for silver.
- Great Britain Rebecca Romero celebrates Olympic Games gold.
- Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) wins gold.
- Gold feels good for Rebecca Romero (Great Britain).
- Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) is the new Olympic Games champion.
- Podium (L-R): Wendy Houvenaghel (Great Britain), Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) and Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine).
Results
Final 1 Rebecca Romero (Great Britain) 3.28.321 (51.843 km/h) 2 Wendy Houvenaghel (Great Britain) 3.30.395 Third place ride 1 Lesya Kalitovska (Ukraine) 3.31.413 2 Alison Shanks (New Zealand) 3.34.156
