Van der Weijden takes gold in inaugural men's 10K swim

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BEIXIAOYING TOWN, China -- Maarten van der Weijden of the Netherlands has won the inaugural men's 10-kilometer open water swim marathon at the Olympics.

Van der Weijden used a better angle in a three-way sprint at the finish Thursday and finished in 1 hour, 51 minutes, 51.6 seconds.

David Davies of Britain opened up a five or six body-length lead with a few hundred meters remaining but couldn't hold it and finished second, 1.5 seconds behind.

Thomas Lurz of Germany took the bronze, 2.0 second back.

The race was held under a steady rain -- but in ideal swimming conditions -- at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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