Rio de Janeiro: Thiago da Silva won Brazil's first athletics gold of their home Games on an extraordinary, unforgettable Monday night in Rio, producing an Olympic record of 6.03 metres in the pole vault to beat hot favourite Renaud Lavillenie and send the fans into raptures.
A roar to match anything from Sunday's 100 metres final - produced by a crowd a quarter of the size - accompanied the 22-year-old as he sailed over the bar, leaving the French world record holder and defending champion one more chance to beat him.
Lavillenie failed and Brazil had a new, and totally unexpected, hero and their first male athletics gold medal winner since Joaquim Cruz won the 800 metres in 1984.
"The gold - incredible," said Da Silva, who came into the Games with a best of 5.93."My first time over six metres. My home town wanted me to win.
"The crowd were cheering me too much. I had to fix my mind on my technique, forget the people."
There had already been drama aplenty on a night dogged by heavy rain that caused a brief suspension of action.
David Rudisha and Shaunae Miller showed that there are different ways to cross the line first, but their gold medals will be the same after thrilling 800 and 400 metres finals.
Kenya's Rudisha, who won the 800m in world record style four years ago, delivered a dominant last lap, striding home majestically to become the first man since New Zealander Peter Snell in 1964 to successfully defend the 800m title.
"I am so excited. It is the greatest moment of my career," Rudisha said.
Rudisha struggled for much of the season and came third in Kenya's Olympic trials but burst into form as the Games neared, setting a season's best time of 1.42.15 to snatch gold.
After winning his first Olympic gold and setting a world record at the London Games, Rudisha suffered a couple of injury-ravaged years that dented his confidence and caused him to miss the 2013 world championships.
But the six foot three inches tall Maasai runner looked in total control of the race as his long stride and fluid running style propelled him to victory.
"It's been very difficult," Rudisha said, referring to his injuries."I have stayed focused and positive. My coach has been great and given me hope."
The 27-year-old crossed the line several metres ahead of Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi, the London Games gold medal winner over 1,500m.
Fast-finishing American Clayton Murphy set a personal best time to take bronze. Bahamian Miller, conversely, was tying up desperately but hurled herself across the line, crashing to the track in the process, to just get the nod ahead of American Allyson Felix. (REUTERS)
