Maxim Opalev of Russia came from behind to win the gold medal in the Olympic canoe flatwater men's single (C1) 500 meters in the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Saturday.

Opalev finished in one minute 47.140 seconds, 1.257 seconds ahead of David Cal of Spain, silver medalist in Athens. Lurii Cheban of Ukraine took the bronze in 1:48.766.

The 29-year-old made a slow start and was in fifth by the half-way mark. But he moved past then leader Aliaksandr Zhukovski of Belarus with a late charge in the last 100 meters and kept the lead across the finish line.

"At the last 200m I still felt I was behind others. I just did my best to break away from the pack, and I didn't realize I had won until I got to the finish line," said Opalev, who claimed silver in Sdyney and bronze in Athens.

The Russian has become the most successful athlete in this event, the first to win a medal in three consecutive Olympic Games.

"With the gold medal around my neck I feel powerful. I'm very happy to bring this gold medal back to my homeland. I didn't expected to win because my rivals are very strong," he said excitedly.

A silver has also brought joy to Spain's Cal. "Today I am very happy. My rhythm was good and even if it is not a gold, it is always a medal. I've got four medals in the Olympics, it's wonderful," said Spain's Cal. He won the C1, 1,000m gold medal in Athens, but finished second in the event on Friday.

"Yesterday I was really sad because it was my preferred discipline. Today is not, but I got a medal anyway. I am happier than yesterday."

"The gold medalist is really strong so I'm not surprised he won," said Ukraine's Cheban.

Zhukovski, who led most of the way, finished fifth. China's Li Qiang came in sixth in 1:49.287.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2008)