Date | 7 August 1992 — 7:30 |
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Status | Olympic |
Location | Estadio Olímpico de Montjuïc, Barcelona |
Participants | 42 from 20 countries |
The two favorites were Andrey Perlov (RUS) and Carlos Mercenario (MEX). Perlov was European Champion in 1990 and runner-up at the 1991 Worlds, and held the world best road times for both 20 and 50K. Mercenario had won the 1991 Lugano Cup race and was ranked #1 in the world. Form held in the race as Perlov won the gold and Mercenario the silver medal. They were together thru 40 km., but then Perlov opened up and dropped Mercenario, and won by almost two minutes. Germany’s Ronald Weigel, one of the dominant walkers in the 80s, held on for the bronze. Poland’s Robert Korzeniowski was with Mercenario as they neared the stadium, but he had already received five cautions during the race, beyond the limit. He was pulled from the race before entering the tunnel. Much more would be heard from him.