Nelson Evora of Portugal celebrates after the men's triple jump final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Nelson Evora won the gold with 17.67 metres. (Xinhua/Yang Lei) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nelson Evora from Portugal won the first gold medal for the country by edging his opponents in men's triple jump at the Beijing Olympic Games on Thursday.

    Evora, 24, succeeded to make a 17.67 meters jump at his fourth attempt, adding the second medal for Portugal in the tournament. It was Portugal's first gold medal in 12 years.

    As the reigning world champion, Evora had not given a leading performance in early this season. But his 17.67-meter result has made the top performance of all athletes so far.

    Interfered by several medal ceremonies in the National Stadium, where track and field events are held, the Portuguese only made one failure in all six attempts in the final. He had not been relieved until the last attempt was done by Britain's Phillips Idowu who chased him close.

    Evora's British opponent who finished with 17. 62 meters in the third attempt, won the silver medal and also created his seasonal best.

    Leevan Sands of Bahamas grabbed the bronze medal by a triple jump of 17.59 meters which has ranked the third among all athletes to date and also refreshed the Bahamian national record of the event.