The Malta Independent on Sunday
Gwen Jorgensen gives USA first Olympic gold in triathlon
As she wobbled along on a flat tire four years ago in London, Gwen Jorgensen promised to turn that heartbreak at Hyde Park into a conquering of Copacabana Beach at the Rio Games.
She crushed both the course and the competition yesterday, giving the U.S. its first Olympic triathlon gold medal by cruising across the finish line in 1 hour, 56 minutes, 16 seconds.
That was 40 seconds ahead of silver medalist Nicola Spirig of Switzerland, who won gold at the 2012 Games after Jorgensen's flat tire relegated her to a 38thplace finish.
Vicky Holland outsprinted British teammate Non Stanford for the bronze.
Jorgensen and Spirig were even until Jorgensen made her move with 2 kilometers left in the 10K final leg that followed a steep, 38.5K bike ride and a oneloop ocean swim.
As she approached the blue carpet, Jorgensen turned to look for Spirig, who wasn't even in view around the bend.
Her goal within her grasp, Jorgensen lifted her sunglasses to her head and that look of dogged determination she'd had since London dissolved into a smile.