I had played at Wrigley Field many times, mostly as a homegrown Chicago Cubs player but also as a Philadelphia Phillie. In 2003, though, I returned to Chicago as a hired hand, dealt on July 30 by the Texas Rangers for cash and a minor league catcher -- right before the MLB trade deadline.

And I wasn't exactly thrilled about it.

When I was told I was traded, it was by phone. When I went to say my goodbyes in the Texas clubhouse the next day, my locker was already packed. I was gone before I was gone. That was hard. I would miss manager Buck Showalter's humor. I would miss teammates like Michael Young, Juan Gonzalez and Alex Rodriguez. I would miss our wild team meetings. I would miss my fan club program -- the Good Grades Club, where students would mail me their report cards for an autographed photo or other rewards, a brilliant idea by the Rangers' marketing team. Now the mail would stop.

Worst of all, I was 32 years old, recovering from a torn hamstring tendon, and after hobbling around minor league rehab for a month, I had finally got my timing together. No one could get me out in the American League in July: I posted a .925 OPS that month, and despite a dismal season for Texas (we were in last place when I was traded), I was building my way back to being a viable free-agent candidate and a starter again. I didn't want that run to end on someone else's terms. But it did.

This week, many players will have these kinds of feelings and more. Lost, revitalized, the new kid, the old vet, pushed out of a job, last to first, starter to bench guy, all in a simple transaction -- with no guarantees as to how the story will end.

One of the first things I did after returning to Chicago was a photo shoot with other traded-for Cubs. Kenny Lofton and Aramis Ramirez joined me for the cover of the Cubs' monthly Vine Line Magazine. That picture is worth a thousand words, my feelings of disillusionment on full display. I had not cut my hair since the year before, and I kept thinking about how I was traded from where I was playing every day to where I would be a platoon player at best. Sure, the postseason is the goal -- especially after a career, at that point, of champagne-less offseasons -- but I also needed to have a job to even think about October. Getting 50 at-bats in two months might not be enough to make a roster.

At least they seemed glad to have me. On my first day as a new Cub, manager Dusty Baker greeted me and expressed his excitement with my joining the team. The man matched the legend, barrel-chested and imposing, yet looked you in the eye with a certain warmth and understanding. I immediately learned about the chewing sticks and the green tea he kept close by in the dugout, the health drink he relied on as he recovered from prostate cancer. He did not promise me a starting role, but he knew what I could do -- after all, I had played against his Giants plenty of times.

I had only heard, secondhand, about Baker being this amazing players' manager, but I had a wall of emotional iron around me, and it was hard for me to take it in. He didn't know of my long journey in the Cubs' minor leagues to get to Chicago. My war with my Triple-A manager, my watching outfielders lap me to reach the big leagues or how I lost my father on the last day of the 2002 season. Even though I had been long gone from Chicago by the time this trade went down, I had the baggage of being traded before. That hard lesson about not having control of my future, the feeling of being property even if the other side thought they were getting a gift.

I learned that Lofton was our center fielder and I would play against some lefties and come in to pinch hit or pinch run, maybe play some defense late in the game. After starting for my entire career, it was an ego check, and because I never felt I got a shot to be that starting center fielder in Chicago, it felt worse. First, the Cubs didn't bet on me to be a starting center fielder and traded me away, then, when I'd become a starter elsewhere, they traded to get me back just to put me on the bench again. It was like a cruel joke. But then I looked around the clubhouse and saw a lot of players in the same boat. Tony Womack, Eric Karros, Mark Grudzielanek, Tom Goodwin. We had all been starters, and Baker had his hands full to convince all of us that we shouldn't be starting now. To his credit, Baker was a magician with people.

Real life had to be managed, too. I had to close out an apartment in Texas, in the middle of a lease. I had to ship my car to Chicago, packed with all the stuff I couldn't carry in my suitcase, then fly to Dallas to meet the shipping company on an off-day when the Cubs were playing the Astros in Houston. I couldn't imagine what that would've been like if I'd had a family at the time.

Rejoining Chicago was also like moving back home after graduating college. So much had changed. I didn't know a lot of the players; the staff was different. It was a new culture -- I came up in 1996 with the Cubs with Jim Riggleman as manager, someone who I respected and got along with well. Positive, even-keeled, principled. We did not have much success over that year and a half, but he took the time to always tell me where I stood, pulling me aside to let me know, "One day, you will be a starting center fielder -- somewhere." Baker brought in a smashmouth style, dripping with confidence, a master of psychological warfare. For those two stints, I played at the same address, but it was far from the same place.

I eventually found my edge by working with all of the Cubs' veteran players in a pennant race. Although the Cubs were at .500 when I arrived, we were not far out: Two weeks later, we were in first place. It was my first true understanding that a big part of a manager's job is filtering out the negativity that can come from a whole bunch of players who think they should have a different role. I was surprised to find myself one of those guys.

It became critical to watch how Dusty ran his ship. Baker was truly the "Godfather of Baseball," and he gave you straight talk. Months later, I would get the game-winning hit in Game 3 of the NLCS and remind people publicly that I could hit right-handed pitching as a right-handed batter -- I pinch hit against a righty in that game. Dusty pulled me into his office after hearing that postgame interview and insisted, "I know you can hit righties." I got the message, but he dished out the truth and it gave me room to tell mine. I appreciated that.

The days and weeks after my trade had been a crash course in fitting in, something that can be tougher for a set-in-his-ways veteran. I had to let go of the guarantees that put me in the lineup every day and ensured I would have a job the next year, and enter the realm of the unknown. Not knowing when I would get in the game or if we would make the playoffs. I saw the worst-case scenario: not making the playoffs and then not getting a job in free agency. Was it worth it?

In my case, it was, because I would get the only playoff experience of my MLB career. Looking back, despite how it probably hurt my being seen as a starter, I gained something that turned out to be worth my shift in status. A division title and a taste of a championship series.

This week, many players are dealing with change. Even the biggest names -- whether it's a trio of champions in Kris Bryant, Javy Baez, and Anthony Rizzo, all former Cubs now, unsigned and uncertain in new surroundings as they chase the postseason, or Max Scherzer and Trea Turner, in greener pastures as possible three-month rentals. As good as they are, they're still an injury away from altering their contract opportunities in the offseason. They were settled in their respective cities and fan bases. Families, children, September school enrollment, lost stability -- these are no small things, even for players on the top of baseball's food chain.

Then imagine the young prospects or the journeyman jockeying for playing time, sent back for these household names. Little power, little choice, except to seize the opportunity and make a new home elsewhere. But a new home can be built, and championships can be won.

As I once learned, sometimes you have to embrace the risk. For last week's traded players, it starts now.

AW promotion: Ann Packer, Ed Moses and Roger Bannister have been involved in some terrific races

As any athletics fan knows, running events have seen hundreds of memorable and dramatic finishes over the decades. But we have managed to whittle the list down to the top three most dramatic finishes in running history.

A newcomer sets a world record

You are sure to be enjoying this year’s Tokyo Olympics, even if the games are not quite the same as usual. And if you want to keep up with all the latest news and odds, check out sports betting with Casumo. The last time Tokyo held the summer Olympics was back in 1964, and the games had many memorable moments, including the dramatic finish of the women’s 800 metres.

English athlete Ann Packer was used to running in the 400 metres, but she had only debuted in the 800 metres earlier in the year. The Hungarian Zsuzsa Szabo took an early lead and reached the halfway point in only 58.6 seconds. On the crown of the bend before the finishing line, Packer suddenly sprinted past New Zealand’s Marise Chamberlain and then Szabo, who was now in second place.

Packer continued to pick up the pace with seconds to go, and she hurtled past the leader, French runner Maryvonne Dupureur, and crossed the tape. Packer created a new world record with her time of 2:01.1.

 The closest 400 metres hurdles ever

The World Championships in 1987 saw the closest 400 metres hurdles in the event’s history. In fact, bronze and silver places were both only 0.02 seconds behind the gold medal winner. US athlete Edwin Moses caught up German Harald Schmid just after the fourth hurdle. The US’s Danny Harris was close behind, taking it one stride at a time. Moses had a two-metre lead coming up to the ninth hurdle, while Harris was in front of Schmid. Then, Schmid overtook Harris.

As the three bolted towards the final hurdle, Moses managed to maintain his lead while Harris pushed on to slightly overtake Schmid. Moses then started to struggle and the race was anyone’s as they fought their way to the finishing line. Moses crossed the line with a time of 47.46 while Danny Harris came in second place with 47.48 and Harald Schmid came in third place, also with 47.48. Schmid was far from disappointed, though, as it was his personal best time. 

The Mile of the Century

Roger Bannister will always be known for being the first athlete to run the mile under four minutes. He accomplished the feat in 1954, with a time of 3:59.4. However, Bannister’s record only lasted 46 days, as it was beaten by Australia’s John Landy with a time of 3:58.0. So, when the two met at the Vancouver Commonwealth Games that same year, spectators knew it would be a dramatic race even before it began.

It was billed as “The Mile of the Century.” Landy took the lead at the 220-yard mark. He then completed his first lap in just 58.2 seconds, as Bannister trailed behind in second place. On the second lap, Landy’s lead on Bannister was fifteen yards at one point. But come the third lap, Bannister started to close the gap. He managed to get five yards behind Landy before catching him up and running shoulder to shoulder. Landy then picked up the pace and once again went into the lead.

At the last bend, Bannister launched into a mighty sprint. Landy stupidly then looked back to see where Bannister was, losing a valuable fraction of a second. However, Landy still managed to hang on to his lead. He beat Bannister by five yards and received a time of 3:58.8. Both Landy and Bannister managed to run the mile under four minutes once again, and it was one of the greatest finishes of all time.

The 2021-22 Allianz Premier 15s season will incorporate a new cup competition in its fixtures.

Reigning champions Harlequins will start their title defence at home to Loughborough Lightning.

The season will see the introduction of the Allianz Cup, intended to give more squad players game time in the international window.

The cup will see two pools, determined by their finishing places last season, with five teams in each competing against one another. The top two sides from each pool will progress to the semi-finals on 16 April. The final will take place on 22 April.

A broadcast deal for the women's league has not been announced for the upcoming campaign but the Rugby Football Union has said "streaming details will be confirmed in due course".

RFU director of performance rugby Conor O'Shea said: "The calendar gives greater profile and exposure to every Allianz Premier 15s round and the introduction of the Allianz Cup is a welcome and exciting development, and provides vital game time for the wider squad players.

"The domestic season kicks off what is a huge 15 months of women's rugby."

The women's Rugby World Cup is due to take place in New Zealand in March next year, having been postponed from 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Opening round of regular fixtures:

Gloucester-Hartpury v DMP Durham Sharks

Bristol Bears v Exeter Chiefs

Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors

Harlequins v Loughborough Lightning

Wasps v Saracens

Allianz Cup pools:

A: Harlequins, Wasps, Gloucester-Hartpury, Bristol Bears and DMP Durham Sharks

B: Saracens, Loughborough Lightning, Exeter Chiefs, Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks

Mexico eased to the bronze medal in the men's Olympic football tournament with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Friday.

First-half goals from Francisco Cordova and Johan Vasquez put El Tri in control and Alexis Vega added a third after the break before Kaoru Mitoma got a late consolation in a repeat of the 1968 bronze medal match, which Japan won in Mexico City.

- Men's Olympics soccer bracket and fixtures

Mexico, beaten on penalties by Brazil in their semifinal, were ahead within 13 minutes after Vega was fouled by Wataru Endo. Following a VAR review, the penalty decision was upheld and Cordova sent Japan goalkeeper Kosei Tani the wrong way to open the scoring.

Cordova then turned provider as his free kicks led to headed goals from Vasquez, on 22 minutes, and, on 58 minutes, Vega to put Mexico in total control.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa pulled off a stunning stop to Mitoma pulling a goal back on 75 minutes as Japan piled on the pressure but the Kawasaki Frontale striker eventually did find the back of the net with an emphatic strike three minutes later.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said negotiations to keep Lionel Messi at the club are over and that he does not want to generate "false hope" that the situation could be fixed.

Barca announced on Thursday that Messi, a free agent since his contract expired in June, will not rejoin the club because of financial problems.

- La Liga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
- Marcotti: Messi to leave Barca? What's really happening
- Social media reacts to Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Laporta explained that the "disastrous" situation inherited from the previous board and LaLiga's rigid spending limits have made keeping Messi impossible.

Messi, 34, had reached an agreement to sign a new five-year contract at Camp Nou, extending his 21-year link with the club, and Laporta said the forward is devastated that will not be possible.

"I don't want to generate false hope," Laporta said when asked if the situation was retrievable. "During the course of negotiations, we've known of other offers for Messi. There was a time limit, for us and for [Messi's camp], because they need time. The leagues are starting.

"The negotiations with Messi have ended and it's brought us here without an agreement because of the salary limit. Leo wanted to stay so he's not happy. We all wanted him to stay but now, like us, he is facing the reality of what's happened. A reality that can't be changed."

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has said negotiations to keep Lionel Messi at the club are over and that he does not want to generate "false hope" that the situation could be fixed.

Barca announced on Thursday that Messi, a free agent since his contract expired in June, will not rejoin the club because of financial problems.

- La Liga on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games and replays (U.S. only)
- Marcotti: Messi to leave Barca? What's really happening
- Social media reacts to Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Laporta explained that the "disastrous" situation inherited from the previous board and LaLiga's rigid spending limits have made keeping Messi impossible.

Messi, 34, had reached an agreement to sign a new five-year contract at Camp Nou, extending his 21-year link with the club, and Laporta said the forward is devastated that will not be possible.

"I don't want to generate false hope," Laporta said when asked if the situation was retrievable. "During the course of negotiations, we've known of other offers for Messi. There was a time limit, for us and for [Messi's camp], because they need time. The leagues are starting.

"The negotiations with Messi have ended and it's brought us here without an agreement because of the salary limit. Leo wanted to stay so he's not happy. We all wanted him to stay but now, like us, he is facing the reality of what's happened. A reality that can't be changed."

Palmisano makes it two golds in two days for Italy as she beats Colombia’s Sandra Arenas and defending champion Liu Hong from China

Italy’s Antonella Palmisano claimed top spot in the women’s 20km victory on Friday in Sapporo, producing a sensational performance and finishing in a time of 1:29:12 as she made it two from two for Italy in the 20km race walks at these Games.

Boosted by the victory for her countryman Massimo Stano in the men’s event, it was redemption for the 30-year-old, who finished in a heartbreaking fourth place in Rio five years ago.

Her victory also sees her become the first Italian woman to win the event and gave Italy their fourth athletics gold on an incredible summer for the mediterranean nation.

Silver went to Sandra Arenas of Colombia in 1:29:37 and drama in the late stages saw defending champion Liu Hong grasp bronze from the hands of Brazil’s Erica Rocha de Sena, who could only watch on in despair from the penalty box.

In another searingly hot day in Sapporo, athletes had to battle temperatures of more than 30C and 54% humidity. Seemingly unperturbed, Palmisano kept her cool and was in the mix early on in the race.

At six kilometres a lead group of 16 had emerged, including the Chinese trio of Qieyang Shijie, Liu Hong and Yang Jiayu, who had made clear their ambitions of a medal sweep – the first in the event’s history.

The lead group was soon whittled down and, as athletes began to drop off, seven walkers remained in the mix at 15km. With Qieyang Shijie no longer able to keep up with the group, the Chinese sweep was no longer on the cards.

By 17km, Palimasano had taken control and the prospects for an Italian 20km double became evident. Now four seconds ahead of the pack, she remained cool and rode the Italian momentum all the way to the line.

Her second 10km was covered in 43:16 after a 45:57 first half with most of the acceleration coming in her last three 2km laps of 8:41, 8:15 and 8:12.

“Massimo’s gold medal gave me a lot of extra power,” said Palimasano, who turned 30 on the day of her race. “He is my team-mate and we are part of the same training group.

“In the countdown to the Olympics we both believed very much we could do it. We (both) come from very small towns in the south of Italy. We wanted to do something big, we have the same mentality.”

Silver was in the hands of Sandra Arenas but the battle for bronze raged on. Yang Jiayu had already been sidelined with three penalty cards and, just as Brazil’s Erica Rocha de Sena began to dream of a podium finish, she too found herself in the penalty box.

Liu Hong took her opportunity and came over the line in 1:29:57 to claim the bronze to add to her gold from Rio 2016 and bronze from London 2012.

After their penalties, Sena and Jiayu Yang resumed and finished 11th and 12th and their 1:31:39 and 1:31:54 times would have put them in the medals but for their two minute penalties.

Flanker Courtney Lawes says the British and Irish Lions cannot get caught up in "scrapping" with South Africa in Saturday's decisive third Test.

Tensions boiled over between the two sides, further slowing down the game and Lawes says speed is key.

"They can throw their handbags around as much as they like," he said.

"As long as we can get the ball out and play some rugby."

Lions head coach Warren Gatland is one of those to have commented on the "stop-start" nature of the 27-9 defeat in the second Test..

The ball was in play for the shortest time so far on the Lions tour, with numerous stoppages for refereeing decisions.

Gatland said he would speak to the officials to try and speed up play for the decider and Lawes agreed that a faster game would suit the tourists.

"We can't get too caught up in the niggle of stuff, scrapping," continued the 32-year-old, who has started the two previous Tests in the back row.

"It just slows down the game and it doesn't help us. We like a high-tempo game.

"They came with a clear gameplan last game and that was to slow the game down. We're a really fit team and we want to move the ball.

"It's obviously going to be tough and it will be a conscious effort to stay out of that dogfight because I imagine that's what they're going to bring again."

'We have got to create more' - Townsend

Gatland has made sweeping changes for the final Test in Cape Town, bringing hooker Ken Owens, prop Wyn Jones, scrum-half Ali Price, centre Bundee Aki, wing Josh Adams and full-back Liam Williams into his starting XV.

Attack coach Gregor Townsend says the Lions have got to "create more" if they want to claim a series win against the world champions.

That creativity may come from fly-half Finn Russell, who is named on the bench in place of Owen Farrell after recovering from an Achilles injury.

Townsend says the Scotland 10 "can ask different questions than any fly-half in the world" and also backed compatriot Price, saying: "He's got the pace to go through gaps".

"If you create opportunities, you have more chance of winning the game," Townsend continued.

"You may create more through pressure. We know we have to control the game more by moving South Africa around, draining them of energy whenever we can."

Polish athlete clearly wins his country’s fourth Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games and fourth 50km title in total on Friday in Sapporo

The 50km walk – first contested in the Olympics 1932 and here for the 20th and last time – saw a stunning win for Dawid Tomala, who destroyed the opposition over the second half with a brilliant display of walking.

At one stage it did look as if he would win by over three minutes after a bold mid race surge though a tough 5km meant the margin was down to 36 seconds at the end.

Apart from a great tactical win it was also a great technical victory as he didn’t receive a single warning as he won in 3:50:08 with a much faster second half.

Poland are having a great Games and this was their fourth gold in Tokyo after two hammer wins and a mixed relay title. This was also their fourth gold in the event after the triple success of Robert Korzeniowski between 1996 and 2004.

No one considered Tomala, though. Ranked 24th on 2021 times from his 50km debut when finishing fifth in Dudince. In his other major race of the year he was an anonymous 25th in Podebrady in the European Team Championships 20km.

While he was European under-23 champion 10 years ago, his best previous major result was a 19th in the 2012 Olympic 20km and he was only 25th in Doha.

Much to the home crowd’s disappointment, instead of the expected Asian dominance it was Europe who held all the cards as they took four of the first five placings.

Jonathan Hilbert just 23rd in Doha, took silver for Germany and there was a super fast finish for Evan Dunfee, fourth in Rio, who won Canada’s first ever medal in the event with a relative sprint finish.

As for the race, switching the event from Tokyo can’t really be considered a successful move as despite the 5am start, the temperatures were stifling and soon edging up and then into the thirties with direct sun while Tokyo at the time was cloudy and very slightly cooler!

Sadly, there was no British representative in the field for an event won by the UK in 1932, 1936 and 1960 with British Athletics controversially turning down World Athletics invitations to Dominic King and Cameron Corbishley. However, there was a British representative among the judges with Cambridge Harriers’ Noel Carmody the chief lap counter.

Doha fifth-placer Ladong Luo, was the early leader.

But he was soon joined by world record-holder Yohann Diniz, who in his first competition for a few years was ahead at 5km in 23:58 with the Chinese on 24:00 and then there was a 31-second gap to a 35-strong pack led by Norway’s Rio seventh-placer Havard Haukenes (24:31).

Diniz was just ahead of Luo but then seemed to be seeking a loo as by 10km he was back in 58th (of 59 walkers) in 49:50 having stopped a couple of times.

Up ahead Lu was now out on his own on 47:57 having gone a very slightly quicker 23:57 for that split.

Tomala (48:22) led the pack which meant they were slightly closer to the lead and now numbered 23 who were slightly clear and that group included Ireland’s Brendan Boyce (48:24). Team-mate Alex Wright, a former Briton and Belgrave Harrier, switching allegiance in 2014, was 42nd in 48:37.

Luo’s pace had gradually picked up at 15km (71:33 for a 23:36 split) but Tomola (71:55 with a slightly quicker 23:33) was still ahead of a group which now was 19.

Diniz, after a few stops, was moving significantly faster than anyone again and a 22:51 saw him 44th in 72:31 but still a minute off the lead.

Just as they reached 20km (1:35:04), Luo had been caught despite his quickest split yet of 23:31 with now defending champion Matej Toth right behind on 1:35:05 (after a 23:10). There were 21 athletes within 10 seconds and Boyce was still in the lead group.

Now in 22nd on 1:35:31, Diniz (23:00 for that section) was closing on the main pack despite having turned round and walked the other way at one of the drinks stations having lost a further 10-15 seconds.

Halfway was passed with Finland’s Veli-Matti Partanen, who had a best global event result of just 41st,  the official leader in 1:58:16 (after a 23:09 for that section) suggesting a 3:56 finishing time with Tomala and Haukenes still at the front.

Diniz was now back in the pack of 22 in 1:58:18 after a fast 22:47 split. At one stage he went back at a drinks station after being baulked and lost a few more seconds and then after halfway completely stopped again to drink and re-ice himself and in having accelerated to make the deficit up got a warning.

His revival didn’t last long as he came to a complete halt and stopped for a few minutes and had a chat before walking on and then finally sat down for good after 2 hours 14 of the event.

Tamala surprisingly pushed on alone to lead through 30km in 2:21:21 (23:04 split) for a nine second lead with the chasing group 19-strong. Over the next 2km lap, the Pole cut loose and went 50 seconds clear and the race finally looked on though no one in the group seemed too bothered and the gap was a yawning 1:22 at 34km.

At 35km the Pole was through in 2:42:34 having covered that 5km in a vicious 21:13 – almost two minutes quicker than the previous split.

Marc Tur of Spain led the group a huge 1:46 in arrears and the chase pack was down to 13 with Boyce (2:44:25) barely hanging on with Rio winner Toth (2:44:41) out of medal contention in 16th. A kilometre later the lead was over two minutes for the first time and he was clearly operating a a different level to his opponents going 20 seconds faster per 2000m lap.

He reached 40km in 3:03:45 – a 21:11 split the quickest yet meaning that last 10km was incredibly six minutes faster than his first.

The lead was now 2:50 with Germany’s Hilbert (3:06:35 after a 22:15), Finn Partanen, Spain’s Tur, Japan’s Masatora Kawano and 45-year-old Doha runner-up Joao Vierira of Portugal and Rio fourth-placer and Doha bronze medallist Dunfee and Australian Rhydian Cowley meaning only eight were now left in medal contention.

Japan, who went into the event with a possible clean-sweep mentioned, looked like they were out of it as the 22-year-old Kawano stopped and bent over on the ground and punched the road in frustration but he was able to recover and get back to the group.

Finally the leader did start to slow as he passed 45km in 3:25:46 (22:01) but he was still going away as the margin was now 3:10 (22:21 for the pack) with it now down to Hilbert, Tur, Vieira, Kawano and Dunfee in contention for silver and bronze.

Tomala, finally paid for his acceleration and slowed even more and he reached the start of the last lap with a two minute three second lead which meant he had lost a minute. Tur and Hilbert had moved away in the minor medal battle 13 seconds up on the Portuguese with Dunfee seemingly out of it.

The Pole grabbed a flag on the last bend and though looking really tired, held on to win by a minute in 3:50:08 – a last 5km of 24:22, three minutes down on his fastest 5km stretch.

The chasing pair really drove hard over the last lap and both received their second warning and were just one away from disqualification. They then eased back and while Hilbert pushed on again, Tur was caught just before the line by a late charging Dunfee.

Men's 50km race walk result

? Dawid Tomala ?? 3:50:08
? Jonathan Hilbert ?? 3:50:44
? Evan Dunfee ?? 3:50:59#Olympics #Tokyo2020 #athletics

— AW (@AthleticsWeekly) August 6, 2021

He couldn’t catch Hilbert though who was just 36 seconds back in the end after a 21:48 final 5km and Dunfee (3:50:59) took bronze by nine seconds. Vierira was a Portuguese best fifth in 3:50:59 while Kawano completed the top six.

Ireland’s Boyce finished 11th in 3:53:40.

Spain’s 51 year-old David Garcia competing in a record eighth Olympics, finished 35th after a tough final few laps. He first competed in the 1992 Olympics and finished fourth in 2008.