Australian canoe battler Robin Bell wins bronze in C1 class at Beijing Olympics
August 12, 2008 06:45pm

AUSTRALIA'S battler of Beijing, Robin Bell, has created history by becoming the first Australian to win an Olympic whitewater medal with bronze in the C1 final.
The 30-year-old from Sydney who struggles to pay his rent, claimed the historic medal with one of the performances of his career.

Placed fifth going into the final after clocking 91.16secs in the semi final, Bell grabbed bronze with a final combined time of 180.59secs.

A remarkable final run by 1996 Gold medallist Michael Martikan elevated him above Great Britain's David Florence (Silver) to take Gold.

World number three Bell qualified for the final in fifth place after a sluggish start out of the blocks, but he battled to complete the tricky course in 89.16s before being handed a two-second penalty, well after his time was posted.

If he hadn't been hit with the penalty, the Sydney paddler would have been sitting second going into the final, just 0.18s behind Martikan and with an excellent chance to claim Gold.

Australia, which has enjoyed 15 Olympic podium finishes in kayaking, has never claimed a canoeing Gold medal in Games history.

Its only medal in canoe or kayak slalom events came 16 years ago when Danielle Woodward picked up silver in the K1 slalom at the Barcelona Games.