Uganda’s Kiprotich Wins Marathon on Final Day of Olympics

Posted August 12th, 2012 at 11:10 am (UTC-5)
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The final day of competition at the 2012 Olympics is under way, with Uganda's Stephen Kiprotich winning a surprise gold medal in the men's marathon.

The race Sunday was expected to be a showdown between runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. But Kiprotich surged ahead at mile 23 to take a commanding lead.

He finished with a winning time of two hours, eight minutes, and one second, 26 seconds ahead of silver medalist Abel Kirui of Kenya. Another Kenyan, Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, won the bronze .

American runner Mebrahtom Keflezighi, who was born in Eritrea, finished fourth .

In men's basketball, the United States' so-called Dream Team is playing the gold-medal game against Spain. The favored U.S. team held only a one-point lead, 59-58, at the half.

Russia beat Argentina to win the bronze. Russia also captured the gold medal in men's volleyball.

Women's modern pentathlon will be the last event to round off the 17-day extravaganza of sport.

After Saturday's competition, the Americans were the top gold medalists with 44 and the top winners overall with 102 medals. China's gold count was 38 with 87 medals overall. Russia was in third place in overall medals, while Britain was in fourth. However, Britain has more gold than Russia.

The closing ceremony is being billed as “A Symphony of British Music,” highlighting one of the country's strongest cultural exports. Artists scheduled to appear during the three-hour celebration include Adele, Elton John, George Michael, Annie Lennox, and the Pet Shop Boys.

Brazil, the host of the 2016 Games, will create a Rio-style carnival, featuring drummers, dancers and women in elaborate carnival costumes.