Harju's golden shot

Harju won Finland's first medal at the Sydney Games

Finland's Arsi Harju landed the first athletics gold of the Games with a surprise win in the shot put.

Harju landed the spoils in a disappointing final as his second round throw of 21.29m put him ahead of Americans Adam Nelson (21.21) and twice world champion John Godina (21.20).

It was a sweet victory for Harju, who made the final of the world championships in 1999 only to produce three fouls with the pressure on.

Pink peril

But he had no such trouble this time round, opening with a first round best throw of 21.20 and stretching it second time round. He had topped qualifying with a personal best 21.39.

Finnish champion Harju, 26, wearing an eye-catching pink bandana, was expecting a sterner challenge from a strong US trio completed by Andy Bloom, who was fourth with 20.87.

Competition cools

But the European indoor bronze medallist from Perho-Vaasa saw the challenge of the Americans fizzle out as the evening cooled down.

The early throws dominated, with only Atlanta silver medallist Godina changing the placings late on when he secured bronze with his fifth throw.

Godina was a late call-up to the team after the withdrawal of world champion CJ Hunter through injury two weeks ago.

Bloom wilts

Jubilant Godina will have some sympathy for Bloom. Four years ago Godina lost the Olympic gold medal to Randy Barnes in the final round.

The silver for Nelson completed an unusual Olympic coaching triple for California-based Briton Bob Weir.

Weir, who competes in the discus next week, has seen Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson, the US swimmers he helps with fitness work, win relay gold medals earlier in the Games.