Here's how Solano native Nick Christie did at the Tokyo Olympic Games
(File photo via Wikimedia; Graphic by Solano NewsNet)
Solano County native Nick Christie almost didn’t make it to Tokyo.
The Fairfield athlete needed to place in the top 60 speed walk racers in the world at the Olympic qualifying trials in Oregon two months ago. He narrowly missed the opportunity, coming in 61st, but ultimate clinched his spot at the Olympic Games when an athlete with a slightly higher ranking was not permitted to travel by his host country, according to a student article published by Missouri Baptist University.
On Friday, Christie got his shot at a medal, participating in the Men’s 20-Kilometer Speed Walking Race in Tokyo. The event was broadcast nationally on NBC’s cable sports network NBCSN very early in the morning.
So, how did Christie do?
Christie started in 14th position out of nearly 60 racers at the games. Toward the end of the event, he dropped to 50th position, according to NBC’s commentators.
He ultimately ended the race in 50th position with a time of 1:34:37, about 13 minutes behind the race leader, according to results on the official website of the Olympic Games. Christie was the only American to participate in the race.
Massimo Stano came out as the surprise winner of the event, earning Italy a gold medal with a time of 1:21:05.
Koki Ikeda and Toshikazu Yamanishi secured medals for Japan, winning silver and gold respectively in the host country.
Christie’s partner, Robyn Stevens of Vacaville, will compete in the Women’s 20-Kilometer Speed Walking Race early Friday morning.
Correction: An earlier version of this article erroneously referred to the event as the 50-Kilometer Speed Walking Race.
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