AGE: 25 COUNTRY: Spain EVENT: Men's triathlon THE DRAMA: Watch for a storming run from Raña, who usually rises to the big occasions THE COMPETITION: New Zealand's Docherty and Dmitriy Gaag of Kazakhstan, the world No. 1 and No. 2
Posted Sunday, August 8, 2004; 11.13BST
Perhaps it's appropriate that tri-athlete Iván Raña hails from Galicia, a region of northwestern Spain known for its tempestuous, wet weather and its hardy folk. Raña, the world No. 3 in a demanding, amphibious sport, performs brilliantly but inconsistently. Yet all his rivals know that he excels on the world's biggest stages, which makes him a major threat in Athens.
Raña is still a relative unknown in Spain, despite his fine record in recent years. At the Sydney Olympics his first major championship he finished fifth. He blossomed in the wake of that experience, winning the world title in 2002. He had to settle for silver in 2003, and at this year's worlds in May, he was the runner-up again, finishing less than a second behind world No. 1 Bevan Docherty of New Zealand.
In Athens, the contest will unfold over a 1.5-km swim, five laps of an 8-km bike course that includes a grueling 200-m climb, and a flat, 10-km seaside run. Raña is strongest in the final phase, and his opponents will be expecting a late charge from the Spaniard.
Happy memories of Sydney have boosted his confidence going into Athens. "If a 21-year-old boy, without any help, can go to the Olympic Games and finish fifth, he might also be able to finish first, if he has all the support I presently have," Raña said last fall. It would be a dream come true and, in a sport where athletes compete well into their 30s, would forecast many sunny days ahead.
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