Athletics hat-trick for Sweden
ATHENS, Greece -- Sweden won three gold medals in track and field events in 24 hours as Stefan Holm took the gold in the high jump and Christian Olsson triumphed in the triple jump.
Christina Kluft took the women's heptathlon gold on Saturday.
Three-times world indoor champion Holm won the Olympic men's high jump title when he was the only competitor to clear 2.36 meters.
Holm, the world outdoor silver medallist in Paris last year, failed twice at 2.34 but cleared the bar with his final attempt.
He then leaped 2.36 before facing an anxious wait while he waited for his opponents to attempt the mark.
None succeeded and Holm was confirmed as champion. American Matt Hemmingway was second and Jaroslav Baba of the Czech Republic took the bronze.
Hemingway, a distant relative of the author Ernest, and who took two-and-a-half years out of the sport to pursue other interests, failed three times at 2.36, as did Baba.
Holm is the only Swede to win the Olympic title with former world record holder Patrik Sjoberg finishing among the minor medals in three successive Games.
Olsson gold
Olsson added Olympic gold to his world championship title with a convincing victory in the triple jump.
The 24-year-old Olsson, a strong favorite before the final, leapt 17.79 meters, a Swedish outdoor record, with his second effort to claim a comfortable victory.
Marian Oprea of Romania took the silver with 17.55 and Danila Burkenya of Russia snatched the bronze with 17.48, one centimeter clear of Cuban Yoandri Betanzos.
After a final marred by some chaotic judging, Olsson grabbed a Swedish flag and indulged in a joyous lap of honor in front of a large contingent of noisy Swedish fans.
