Canadian Simon Whitfield crosses the triathlon finish line to take the gold medal. (AP)

Vuckovic, who stopped before the finish line to grab a German flag from the crowd and waltzed across the line waving the flag, won the silver medal. Jan Rehula of the Czech Republic won the bronze.

All three medalists made up nearly a minute in the running portion of the event. Reigning world champion Olivier Marceau of France led after the bike race, but faded on the second and final lap of the run on an unseasonably warm morning, with temperatures in the low 70s. Marceau finished seventh.

Hunter Kemper was the top American in 17th place. Ryan Bolton was 25th and Nick Radkewich finished 40th.

The race was a bitter disappointment for host Australia, which had expected at least one medal and perhaps a sweep of the top three positions. No Australian finished in the top five, with Miles Stewart sixth, Craig Walton 27th and Peter Robertson 34th.

Whitfield, 25, from Kingston, Ontario, was among about 15 riders who crashed on the final lap of the bike race through Sydney's streets. He was off his bike for a few seconds before rejoining the race.

Whitfield kissed the winner's podium and looked to the sky in amazement before accepting his gold medal from International Olympic Committee vice president Dick Pound, a Canadian. Whitfield then buried his face in his hands.

As Whitfield made his final push to overcome Vuckovic, Canadian coach Barrie Shepley jumped for joy.

"Oh my God!" Shepley yelled, "I'm going to cry like a baby!"

Just as with the women's race a day earlier, won by Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland, the men's triathlon was contested on a sunny day. The two triathlons used the same course, starting and finishing in front of the Sydney Opera House.

Walton was fastest in the 1,500-meter swim, finishing that segment through chilly Sydney Harbor in 17 minutes, 17 seconds for a one-second lead over Simon Lessing of Britain.

Walton led for most of the 25-mile bike race, but Marceau and South Africa's Conrad Stoltz broke away from the pack on lap five and built a 56-second lead as the two running laps began around the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Marceau quickly ran away from Stoltz, building a 20-second lead, and had a 50-second lead over the pack. By the end of the first running lap, Marceau's lead was down to 18 seconds.

Vuckovic took the lead with about two miles left in the 6¾-mile running segment, but Whitfield -- known for his closing speed -- kept close until making his final push.

Whitfield was wearing a new one-piece suit that exposed most of his chest to the air. When he first got it the previous night, Shepley said, it was so tight Whitfield could hardly fit into it.