Pink al Fresco

A luta de titãs entre Nelson Évora, natural de Cabo Verde, mas português de cidadania, e Phillips Idowu da Team Gi Bi e residente em Londres não se previa fácil e os resultados foram simplesmente surpreendentes. Idowu achou-se vitorioso, mas no quarto salto, Nelson subiu às nuvens e aterrou cinco centímetros mais longe do que o inglês, ganhando um medalheiro de ouro. Olé, Portugal!

Idowu Takes Silver behind Evora

BBC Sport (21 August 2008) - Britain’s world number one Phillips Idowu had to settle for a silver medal in the Olympic triple jump after being out-jumped by Portugal’s Nelson Evora. Evora took Portugal’s first gold of the Beijing Games with a mark of 17.67m, ahead of Idowu who recorded 17.62m. Leevan Sands of the Bahamas took bronze with 17.59m, while Britain’s Larry Achike was seventh with 17.17m. Idowu, previously unbeaten this season, took the lead after three rounds but Evora’s fourth jump proved decisive. (…) Evora, who was a surprise winner at the 2007 World Championships, becomes his country’s first gold-medal winner in an Olympic field event. He had arrived in China with a season’s best of only 17.24, which ranked him at 17th in the world this year, but he found his form when it mattered.

Gold for GB Duo; Silver for Idowu

Sky News (21 August 2008) - Idowu, who had dyed his hair a striking shade of red for the games, went into the competition with hopes of clinching the top prize, and led the field for three rounds. But in the fourth jump, Portugal’s Nelson Evora leapt 17.67 metres - 5cm ahead of Idowu and enough to claim gold.

Team GB Aiming to Deliver a Knockout Blow

The Times (22 August 2008) - There had been high hopes that Phillips Idowu would add to the haul by the time he landed on his backside in the triple jump, but he had to settle for a silver medal, beaten by five centimetres by Nelson Évora, of Portugal. “It hurts - I’m upset - I came here to achieve a lot more and I just fell short,” Idowu said. At 29, these Games may have represented his best chance of gold, but Idowu was adamant that he would be back for London 2012.

Beijing Olympics - As It Happened, Aug 21

Daily Telegraph (21 August 2008) - 1.54pm Idowu slips to second: The world champion Nelson Evora of Portugal has just leapt 17.56cm, pushing Phillips Idowu down to second place. Idowu doesn’t improve on his first-round leap with his second attempt. (…) 2.39pm Another triple-jump twist: And it’s not a good one. World champion Nelson Evora from Portugal has gone ahead again with a leap of 17.67cm. Idowu needs a lifetime best to get the gold. (…) 3.14pm It’s silver for Idowu: Phillips Idowu could not improve on his earlier jump and has to be content with a silver. Nelson Evora of Portugal takes the gold. Disappointment for Team GB, although he did jump a season’s best.

Olympic Wrap for Day 13

Financial Times (21 August 2008) - Britain’s Phillips Idowu lost out on Olympic gold by 5cm in the triple jump final. Idowu produced his best jump of the year to lead with 17.62m after the third round, only to see Nelson Evora of Portugal then leap 17.67m in round four.

Olympics: Campbell Blames Coach for Relay Disaster

The Guardian (22 August 2008) - (…) Meanwhile Idowu’s season’s best of 17.62m was not enough in the triple jump as Nelson Evora of Portugal won with 17.67m. “I can’t believe I’m standing here with an Olympic silver medal and I’m really pissed,” said Idowu. “It [the silver] is not what I wanted but I’ll take it.”

*Post dedicado à Pécola, por ser uma destemida natural born optimist.

Errata: Nelson Évora nasceu na Costa do Marfim e não em Cabo Verde como foi dito acima, embora tenha competido com a camisola deste último país durante vários anos. Obrigada pela correcção, Pedro!