Maxim Opalevo of Russia competes in the men's canoe single (C1) 500m final at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 23, 2008. Maxim Opalevo of Russia won the gold medal. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Maxim Opalev of Russia came from behind to win the gold medal in the Olympic canoe flatwater men's single (C1) 500 meters in the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on Saturday.

    Opalev finished in 1 minute 47.140 seconds, 1.257 seconds ahead of David Cal of Spain, silver medalist in Athens. Lurii Cheban of Ukraine took the bronze in 1:48.766.

    The 29-year-old Russian made a slow start and was in fifth by the half-way mark. But he moved past then leader Aliaksandr Zhukovski of Belarus with a late charge in the last 100 meters and kept the lead across the finish line. Cal also won silver in the C1 1,000m on Friday.

    Zhukovski, who led most of the way, finished in fifth. China's Li Qiang came in sixth in 1:49.287.