Tunisian Mellouli becomes first-ever Olympic medalist in pool and open water

 LONDON, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli outclassed a field of experienced rivals to win the men's 10km marathon swimming at the London Olympics on Friday, making himself the first swimmer to win medals both in pool and in open water at an Olympic Games.

Mellouli, who had earlier bagged a bronze medal in men's 1500m freestyle, finished the marathon race in 1:49:55.1, 3.4 seconds clear over Germany's silver medalist Thomas Lurz, bronze medalist of the event at Beijing Games.

The bronze medal went to Canadian marathon swimmer Richard Weinberger who finished in 1:50:00.3.

It has been the first time for Mellouli to compete in marathon swimming.

The 28-year-old, who won the FINA Olympic marathon swimming qualifier in Setubal of Portugal in June, came into Friday's competition with a nagging¹ shoulder injury.

But he seemed not bothered by the injury during the race, going out fast in the first lap with Weinberger a close second.

Mellouli maintained his strengthen in the first half of the race, hanging on to let his rivals to lead the field and gradually reeling² them in.

Around the 7km mark, Mellouli sped up and broke away from the field. He maintained a fast pace in the last kilometre, with other three swimmers racing³ for the silver and bronze.

In the final metres of the race, it was obvious that the 10km swimming had taken its toll⁴ on Mellouli, gold medalist of the 1500m freestyle at Beijing Games.

He slowed right down to touch in first, more than enough to secure his second medal of London Games.

"After the 2011 Shanghai World Championships I adjusted my focuses to the 1500m and 10km. I honestly thought my best chance was in the 10km. To win two medals in the 1500m and the 10km is pretty cool," said Mellouli.

He said the open water long course race was extremely hard. "There is no other way to describe it (10km swim). In the last 100m, as I lifted my head to look at the finish line, my shoulder was so heavy and my legs were tight, my lungs were burning, my whole system was in shock for the last five minutes," he said.

"It's like what a marathon runner goes through but it's even more painful than that. The 10km is probably one of the toughest events in all sports combined," he added.

Mellouli said he planed to retire after London Games, adding the "incredible⁵" gold medal would be a happy ending for his swimming career.

The men's 10km marathon concludes the swimming competitions of London Games. Hungarian swimmer Eva Risztov captured the women's 10km marathon title a day before.

1 nagging   

adj.唠叨的，挑剔的；使人不得安宁的v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的现在分词 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责

参考例句：

• Stop nagging—I'll do it as soon as I can. 别唠叨了—我会尽快做的。
• I've got a nagging pain in my lower back. 我后背下方老是疼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 reeling   

把东西用卷轴卷起来，从卷轴上放出来( reel的现在分词 )； 感到震惊； 发昏； 似乎在不停旋转

参考例句：

• His mind was reeling at the shock. 他吃惊得脑袋发晕。
• He was reeling a little. He must be very drunk. 他走起来有点儿摇晃，一定是喝多了。

3 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。

4 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

5 incredible   

adj.难以置信的，不可信的，极好的，大量的

参考例句：

• Some planets run at incredible speed.某些星球以难以置信的速度运行着。
• Her answer showed the most incredible stupidity.她的回答显示出不可思议的愚蠢。