Thorkildsen returns to the summit

By Simon Evans

BEIJING (Reuters) - Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen rediscovered his winning touch in the nick of time to retain his Olympic javelin title with a throw of 90.57 meters on Saturday.

Thorkildsen launched his best effort in the fifth round to keep Latvia's Ainars Kovals, who threw a personal best of 86.64, in the silver medal position.

World champion Tero Pitkamaki of Finland had to settle for bronze after a best throw of 86.16 meters.

The 26-year-old Thorkildsen's throw was a new Olympic record and marked a return to the top for the Norwegian after his second-place finishes in the last two world championships.

"It's been a strange season this year. I know I've been able to get those distances. But it's just not been there until today. It was just the perfect time to get a big one," he told reporters.

"There is always pressure but the Olympics feel similar to other championships, I have been part of so many that I know how to handle the pressure," he said.

Kovals was amazed by his second place, a breakthrough result for a man who was just fifth in the European championships two years ago.

"I was very happy, it was beyond my expectation. I didn't expect to get a medal before the competition, let alone a silver.

"Before the final throw I knew that around 83 would not be good enough for the bronze and I knew I could throw better," he said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)