Russia's Larisa Ilchenko wins 10k swimming race

Larisa Ilchenko of Russia has won gold in the women's 10k open water swimming, an event making its Olympic debut.

Larisa Ilchenko salutes the crowd after winning the womens 10k open water swimming event.

BEIXIAOYING // Larisa Ilchenko of Russia has won the gold medal in the women's 10km open water swimming, an event making its Olympic debut. Ilchenko sprinted from behind in the closing stages and finished the gruelling race in one hour, 59 minutes, 27.7 seconds in the shallow, calm water at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park. Keri-Anne Payne of Great Britain took the silver in 1:59.40.7. Her teammate, Cassandra Patten, earned the bronze in 1:59.42.3.

Natalie du Toit of South Africa, an amputee who removed her carbon-fibre prosthetic left leg before diving in, finished 16th. *AP