China’s Liu Hong wins gold in women’s 20km race walk nail-biter

Liu Hong, banned for one month this year because of a positive dope test, pipped Mexico’s Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez by two seconds to win the women’s 20km race walk and add to China’s gold medal haul.

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The 29-year-old world record holder, who lives in Shenzhen, fulfilled her ambition of winning an Olympic gold after finishing fourth in the past two Games in London and Beijing.

“It was hard because the weather wasn't that good,” said Liu, who clocked one hour, 28 minutes and 35 seconds. “The only thing I could do was keep going, do my best and try to make it perfect.

“It means a lot to me. I have been doing this sport for more than 10 years now and at the last Olympics, I was fourth. This time I was doing my best to get a medal and I am pleased I could get the gold today.”

Liu’s victory took China’s gold tally for the Games to 22, one gold behind Great Britain while the United States led the way with 37.

Gonzalez – who replaced Liu as winner of the World Race Team Championships in Rome in May after the Chinese athlete’s positive test – timed 1:28:37 while another Chinese walker, Lu Xiuzhi, was third in 1:28:42.