Tomasz Majewski on his way to gold

Christian Cantwell of the U.S. took the silver medal with 21.09 and Andrei Mikhnevich of Belarus the bronze with 21.05.

Adam Nelson, silver medallist in the past two Games, was eliminated after three foul throws and 2004 Olympic champion Yuriy Bilonog of Ukraine finished sixth as shot put's old guard was overthrown.

The 26-year-old Majewski, the first Pole to win gold in the event since Wladyslaw Komar in 1972, threw his personal best of 21.04 during qualifying before bettering that in the final.

Majewski's previous best result was bronze at the world indoor championships this year.

Cantwell took silver thanks to his final throw of 21.09 which pushed Canadian Dylan Armstrong off the podium.

It was a disappointing showing from the much-vaunted U.S team with Reese Hoffa down in seventh and Nelson failing to make his mark.

"There are a lot of reasons why it happened but no good ones, I am sure. I just didn't go out there and throw. I had some big throws and big fouls. Unfortunately they didn't count," Nelson said.

"There is no not much good to take out of this. I was just throwing down the left sector line and I don't really do that often. It's inexcusable," he said.

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