Olaf Tufte of Norway competes during Men's Single Sculls Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008. Olaf Tufte won the gold medal of the event. (Xinhua/Wang Lei) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tufte Olaf of Norway won his second Olympic rowing gold medal on Saturday, beating strong rivals to successfully defend the men's single sculls title.

    Olaf, 32, was in second place behind Drysdale by the 1,500-meter mark, but a late surge led him to finish first in 6 minutes, 59.83 seconds.

    The time was 0.80 seconds ahead of silver medalist Ondrej Synek of Czech.

    Three-time reigning world champion Mahe Drysdale took bronze in 7:01.56.