Vanessa Fernandes for Nike
Hot off the heels of her commercial for Nike, Portuguese triathlete Vanessa Fernandes won the silver medal in Beijing. Despite being the favorite to win the triathlon, Fernandes finished with a time of 1:59:34.63, about a minute behind gold medalist Emma Snowsill of Australia. Her medal was the first for the Portuguese in Beijing.
Fernandes was introduced to the triathlon by her father, a former cyclist, in 1999. The 2004 Athens Olympics were her first Olympic Games, where at just 18 she finished in eighth place.
Fernandes was introduced to the triathlon by her father, a former cyclist, in 1999. The 2004 Athens Olympics were her first Olympic Games, where at just 18 she finished in eighth place.
