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Surprise Uganda marathon win

August 12, 2012

Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich powered past his Kenyan rivals in the men's marathon at London 2012 to secure the country's second-ever gold medal. The US beat Spain in the men's basketball to win their 14th basketball gold.

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Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich waves his national flag as he crosses the finish line to win the athletics event men's marathon during the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 12, 2012 in London. DANIEL GARCIA/AFP/GettyImages
Image: Getty Images

On the last day of London 2012, Kiprotich ran the 42.2 kilometers (26 miles) in 2 hours 08 minutes 01second on the spectacular course around the streets of central London, which finished on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. He fell just 90 seconds shy of the Olympic record, but was almost five minutes adrift of the world record.

Two-time defending world champion, Kenyan Abel Kirui claimed silver with a time of 2 hours 08 minutes 27 seconds. Fellow Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, took bronze with a time of 2 hours 09 minutes 37 seconds.

Twenty-three-year-old Kiprotich, who knelt down to kiss the Ugandan flag after the race, said "I am very happy to win a medal for my country. I love my people. Ugandans are very happy because we haven't won a medal," he said. At the Munich Games in 1972, John Akii-Bua won the only other gold medal for Uganda in the 400m hurdles.

It was billed as a race between favorites Kenya and Ethiopia, but both Kipsang and Ethiopia's Getu Feleke and Ayele Abshero fell behind. At the 32-kilometer mark, Kiprotich surged past the two Kenyans and managed to keep ahead.

US win basketball gold

United States' Kobe Bryant shoots past Spain's Pau Gasol during a men's gold medal basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, in London. (Foto:Eric Gay/AP/dapd).
It was a tight game, but the US prevailedImage: dapd

The United States cemented their lead on the medals table with gold in the men's basketball final against Spain, which they beat 107-100. It is the 14th gold medal for America's basketballers.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant led the US in scoring with 30 points, while Spanish brothers Pau and Marc Gasol combined for 41 points but to no avail.

Meanwhile in mountain biking, Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic won gold, Switzerland's Nino Schurter took silver and Marco Aurelio Fontana of Italy claimed the bronze.

In handball, France defended their Olympic handball title, winning gold against Sweden 22-12.

ng/msh (AFP, Reuters)