Trafton wins first athletics gold medal for U.S. at Beijing Olympics

2008-08-18 12:25:08 GMT2008-08-18 20:25:08 (Beijing Time) Xinhua English

Stephanie Brown Trafton of the USA reacts during the women's discus throw final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Trafton won the gold. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Stephanie Brown Trafton won the Olympic women's discus throw gold medal on Monday with her first attempt, the first track and field gold for the United States in the Beijing Olympics.

The final was decided in the very first attempt. Trafton took the lead with her first throw of 64.74 meters and then fouled two times, but her first place was stable as no one else could reach the 63 meters mark except Cuban Yarelis Barrios.

Trafton won the title of 2008 IAAF Grand Prix at Eugene, the United States and this was the only title for her in recent years.

Barrios, world championship bronze medalist at Osaka, Japan, recorded 63.17 meters in her first attempt and upgraded it to 63.64 in the second, but then she struggled to move a step forward in the following four attempts and finish the final with a silver medal.

Olena Antonova of Ukraine took the bronze at 62.59 meters.

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