Venezuelan fencer Ruben Limardo was treated to a phone call from a "very happy" President Hugo Chavez after winning the Olympic gold medal in the men's individual epee Wednesday night.
Chavez spoke briefly with Limardo in a phone conversation that was carried on Venezuelan television, calling the fencer an "honor to the entire homeland."
Limardo thanked Chavez for "excellent work" supporting the country's sports programs.
Limardo was seeded 12th and is the highest-seeded competitor to reach the medal round after a series of early upsets. When he scored the final point against Norway's Bartosz Piasecki, he tore off his headpiece, thrust both arms into the air and ran around the arena.
— Fabiola Sanchez
EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.