Belz completes strong student haul

Bernese runner Christian Belz has won a second bronze medal at the world student games in Beijing, taking the final Swiss tally to a record seven medals.

Having already won bronze in the 3,000 metre steeplechase, Belz doubled his success rate on the closing day of the games by finishing third in the 5,000 metres.

Just as impressive as his final placing was the manner in which Belz controlled the tempo of the race. Always within the front three, the Swiss athlete finished just four seconds behind Ukrainian winner Sergej Lebid, who came seventh at last year’s Sydney Olympics.

The Swiss haul of one silver (won by swimmer Remo Lütolf) and six bronze medals easily surpasses the country’s previous best performance at the student games. What makes the performances all the more remarkable is that they were achieved at the most competitive student games to date, with more than 6,000 participants (including officials) from over 160 countries in attendance.

swissinfo with agencies