BEIJING (Reuters) – Sweden’s Nils van der Poel skated a blistering final lap to grab the gold medal in the 5000 metres velocity skating on the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, ending Dutchman Sven Kramer’s 12-year monopoly of the title.
The Swede, who broke the world file at Salt Lake City two months in the past, trailed Dutchman Patrick Roest by over a second all through the race however stormed to victory in an Olympic file time of six minutes 08.84 seconds.
Roest, who had skated an Olympic file time in his earlier race, took silver in 6.09.31 whereas Norwegian Hallgeir Engebraaten claimed the bronze in 6.09.88.
Three-times champion Kramer, whose domination of the occasion spanned three Olympics, positioned ninth general out of 20 skaters.
Beijing would be the 35-year-old’s final Winter Games earlier than he retires from the game.
(Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Ken Ferris)
