BEIJING // Jan Frodeno of Germany has won the men's triathlon, edging Simon Whitfield of Canada in an exciting four-man sprint finish. Whitfield led momentarily just a few yards from the finish line, but Frodeno raced past him to win by 5.19 seconds. Bevan Docherty of New Zealand took the bronze. Pre-race favourite Javier Gómez of Spain was also in the final group of leaders, but the 2008 world champion faded as the rest of the group kicked for homeland had to settle for fourth place. "I knew the medal was safe, but I tried to get the gold. I kept thinking that this was the moment I've been dreaming of," Frodeno said. "I could hear the other guys breathing, and I sprinted and now I'm the Olympic winner." Whitfield settled for silver. He won gold in 2000 in Sydney, the first year triathlon medals were awarded at the Olympics. Docherty was the silver medallist four years ago in Athens. "I get to see the flag at least," Whitfield said. Frodeno's final time was one hour, 48 minutes, 53.28 seconds in the gruelling swim-cycle-run event. Axel Zeebroek of Belgium and Dirk Bockel of Luxembourg were about 50 seconds ahead of the field after the 40-kilometre cycle, but they were passed early in the 10km run. Zeebroek finished 13th, and Bockel was 25th.
*AP