Abel Antón Rodrigo (born 24 October 1962 in Ojuel, Cabrejas del Campo, Soria) is a Spanish former long-distance runner on the track and road. Anton won back-to-back world championships in the marathon in 1997 and 1999. He was a

senator A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or Legislative chamber, chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the Ancient Rome, ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior ...

from 2011 to 2015, representing the Popular Party.

Career

Antón began his career as a track runner. He competed in the 5000 m at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona where he finished 8th in the final. He won the gold medal in the 10,000 m at the 1994 European Championships in Helsinki. He also won a bronze medal in the 5000 m at the same championships. At the

1996 Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly referred to as the Centennial Olympic Games) were an international multi-sport event held from July 19 to August 4, 1996, in Atlanta, ...

in Atlanta, he competed in the 10,000 m finishing 13th. Antón moved to the marathon distance in 1996 and won the Berlin Marathon on his debut at the distance in 2:09:15. In the following year, he won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1997 World Championships in Athens ahead of countryman and defending World champion Martín Fiz. In 1998 Antón became the first Spanish runner to win the

London Marathon The London Marathon (also known as the TCS London Marathon for sponsorship reasons) is an annual marathon held in London, England. Founded by athletes Chris Brasher and John Disley in 1981, it is typically held in April, although it moved to Oct ...

in his personal best time 2:07:57 ahead of Abdelkader El Mouaziz. He finished third in the London Marathon in 1999 behind Abdelkader El Mouaziz and António Pinto in 2:09:41. He won his second gold medal in the marathon at 1999 World Championships in Seville becoming the first person to defend his title. The win gave him a major marathon win in 4 consecutive years from 1996 through 1999. He became Spanish Sportsman of the Year in 1999. After an unsuccessful marathon race at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Antón concluded his career in 2001 and finished 8th in the London Marathon.

Allegation

In 2006 Antón was implicated by Spanish professional cyclist and whistleblower Jesús Manzano in the doping ring with Alberto García and Reyes Estévez that was the focus of the Operación Puerto doping investigation by the Spanish Guardia Civil.

References

External links

* * * * 1962 births Living people Olympic athletes for Spain Spanish male long-distance runners Spanish male marathon runners Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1992 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 1996 Summer Olympics Athletes (track and field) at the 2000 Summer Olympics London Marathon male winners World Athletics Championships medalists European Athletics Championships medalists Berlin Marathon male winners Recipients of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races Best Marathon Runner Award Mediterranean Games bronze medalists for Spain Mediterranean Games medalists in athletics Athletes (track and field) at the 1987 Mediterranean Games World Athletics Championships winners Spanish Athletics Championships winners 20th-century Spanish sportsmen {{Spain-athletics-bio-stub