Beijing: Maarten van der Weijden, who was given only a slim chance of survival after being diagnosed with leukaemia, won one of the most gruelling Olympic events on Thursday when he took gold in the men's 10km open water marathon.
The Dutch swimmer was diagnosed with leukaemia seven years ago but pulled through after a stem cell transplant and a course of chemotherapy.
He added the Olympic title to his 25km world crown when he won a sprint finish in the inaugural 10km men's race after a three-man tussle which lasted nearly two hours.
"That makes it extra special," Van der Weijden said when asked about his recovery from cancer.
"It proves that even after such an illness you can win gold."
With the end in sight, Van der Weijden pulled out from the three-way dogfight and charged past Briton David Davies to win in one hour 51 minutes 51 seconds.
Davies, who led for most of the race, had streaked two body lengths clear in the last 400 metres but he had no answer to the 27-year-old Dutchman's stunning sprint finish.
Swimming in only his third open water race, Davies finished two seconds behind Van der Weijden, with German Thomas Lurz taking bronze.
Davies said he was "delirious" after having the lead snatched from him with the gold within his reach.
"I wanted it so bad, I've given it everything," Davies said.
"I felt a bit violated to be honest, people swimming all over me, and the last lap was a real struggle."
Swimming in light wind and rain, Van der Weijden sat behind the leaders for most of the race, taking advantage of their slipsteam before making his charge for the finish.
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