taly's Stefano Baldini overcame Athen's heat and a very difficult course to win the men's marathon gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens on August 29.

The Italian covered the 42.195 kilometers in two hours 10 minutes and 55 seconds for the title.

Baldini, two world championship bronze medals to his credit, entered ancient Panathinaiko Stadium first and was greeted by a large Italian contingent.

The silver medal went to American Meb Keflezighi in a time of 2: 11:29 while the Brazilian Vanderlei De Lima hung on for the bronze in 2:12:11.

The Brazilian had led for most of the second half of the race, his lead increasing to 42 seconds at one point. Then he fell victim to a bizarre incident at 32km.

A bystander dressed in tights and a colourful tunic ran onto the road and grabbed De Lima, shoving him into the crowd. The startled runner was shaken but continued.

A short time later Baldini and Keflezighi passed him.

Baldini said after the win: "It was an unbelievable sensation because Panathinaiko is the story of the marathon, so it's a fantastic feeling. It is unbelievable for me."

He thought that he could also beat De Lima if he had not been attacked.

"It was no problem because I knew that I had the strength over the last four to five kilometres. I knew I had the finish."

De Lima said he was pleased with the bronze medal.

"I trained a lot for this and I'm very happy to win this bronze medal. The race was difficult. If that spectator didn't jump in front of me in the middle of the race, who knows what would have happened. Maybe I would have won. It disturbed me a lot.

"For me it was very difficult because I didn't know what he had with him. I was very afraid. I lost my rhythm and I had to get back to the rhythm on the street and it was very difficult. I could have done better."