20 kilometres Race Walk, Women

Chinese walker Liu Hong had finished fourth at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, although she would later get a bronze medal from London after a doping disqualification on re-testing of samples. She had won medals at the last three World Championships, broke the world record in 2015, and came to Rio as the favorite. Earlier in 2016 she had served a one-month drug suspension when an anti-histamine had been found in a skin lotion she was using.

The race was close throughout, with nobody establishing themselves as a clear leader. Into the last kilometer, Liu, Mexican María Guadalupe González, and Liu’s teammate Lu Xiuzhi battled for the medals. Liu outsprinted González to win by two seconds with Lu another five seconds behind. It was the closest finish in any Olympic women’s walk race.