Olympics: Müller wins silver in single sculls

Swiss rower Xeno Mueller contemplates his silver medal after the mens' single sculls final Keystone

Switzerland's Xeno Müller has won the silver medal in the Olympic final of the men's single sculls. The gold went, as expected, to the New Zealander Rob Waddell.

Müller had been looking to defend the Olympic title which he won in Atlanta four years ago, but was unable to keep pace with Waddell as the race entered the final 500 metres.

The two rowers were neck and neck for three-quarters of the race but, as Waddell pulled clear, Müller found himself facing a fierce challenge for the silver medal from his old rival Derek Porter.

The Canadian was the man beaten by Müller in the closing stages of the Atlanta final and for a few moments it looked as though Porter might be able to take revenge for that defeat.

But Porter was unable to maintain his ambitious tempo. Müller completed the race a second and a half behind Waddell, while Germany’s Marcel Hacker pipped Porter for the bronze.

swissinfo with agencies