Twenty-five-year-old Dan Kontor clocked 31 minutes and 19 seconds to emerge winner of the 10-kilometre 2003 Olympic race held in Kumasi at the weekend.

Samuel Hamenu, 18, came second with the time of 31 minutes and 27 seconds while the third position was taken by Yaw Peprah, 20, with a speed of 32 minutes and 33 seconds.

The competition, organised by the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), was sponsored by coca Cola Bottling Company.

Mr Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in a speech read for him said the IOC has a long-term objective of promoting health and fitness throughout the world.

He noted that the well-being of today's youth is an important aspect of the Olympic movement and the IOC believed it could help to achieve this goal.

Mr Rogge pointed out that the IOC and Coca-Cola International have enjoyed good partnership over the years and are both excited to add the Olympic Day Run to Coca-Cola's overall sponsorship agreement.

Mr W. Adjepong Karikari, Ashanti Regional Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC), called on the participants to continue to keep fit and always live on balanced diet.

At Asante-Mampong, 19-year-old student of the Osei Tutu Secondary School, Kwadwo Akaba won the 10-kilometre Olympic race in 29 minutes.

He took home a T-shirt and a certificate.