Xing Huina wins Olympic women's 10,000m gold
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-28 08:19

China's Xing Huina came from nowhere to win the Olympic gold medal in women's 10,000m race in Athens on Friday.

The 20-year-old Xing, making her first Olympic appearance, clocked a winning time of 30 minutes 24.36 seconds.

China's Xing Huina celebrates her victory in the women's 10,000 metres final at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004. [Reuters]

Ethiopia's Ejegayehu Dibaba took silver in 30:24.98, with her compatriot Derartu Tulu, the defending champion having to settle for bronze in 30:26.42.

"It was a big surprise," said an elated Xing after winning the gold. "My hard work has finally paid off."

Xing, placed seventh in last year's world championships in Paris, finished a distant ninth in the women's 5,000m final on Monday.

"The failure in the 5,000m race was a blow to me. But it also worked my way as I had no pressure any more," she said.

Along with Dibaba and Tulu, Xing was among the leading pack throughout the race, but she broke away from the group entering the last straight and crossed the line first.

Britain's Paula Radcliffe, who holds the world record in women's marathon, was out of the contention halfway the race.

Xing's teammate Sun Yingjie, the bronze medalist at last year'sworld championships, was sixth, trailing by half a minute.

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