Olympic canoeist faints
2008-08-22 16:49
China - Olympic canoeist Thomasz Wylenzek fainted after winning the silver medal with his German partner in the 1 000m canoe double race and is being treated for dehydration at hospital.
Wylenzek was listed in stable condition on Friday. He was given intravenous fluids, said International Canoe Federation spokesperson Dave Macleod.
Wylenzek's partner, Christian Gille, fell into the water after their canoe hit the lane marker. Wylenzek, though, later needed assistance and was put into a rescue boat.
The pair led almost the entire way until Belarus edged their canoe by a nose and they settled for silver in 3 minutes, 36.588 seconds.
Wylenzek was not on the medal stand. Gille said his teammate fainted because of the heat and stress of the race.
- AP