Switzerland's Didier Defago speeds down the course during the men's Alpine Skiing Downhill race of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia February 15, 2010. [Xinhua/Reuters]

Didier Defago from Switzerland won the men's downhill on Monday at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Defago finished the descent in one minute and 54.31 seconds to win the gold medal, while Aksel Lund Svindal from Norway got the silver in one minute and 54.38 seconds, only 0.07 seconds behind.

The bronze medal went to Bode Miller from the United States. He completed the course in one minute and 54.40 seconds.

"It (the track) has changed a lot since training, but the conditions were perfect for me. I knew I would do well, but I never expected to do this well. A medal had to come eventually for me," said Defago after the race.

"It is one of the most beautiful days of my life," he added.

He entered the history as the third Swiss to win an Olympic downhill title after Bernhard Russi in Sapporo 1972 (Japan) and Pirmin Zurbriggen in Calgary 1988.

More than 6,000 spectators witnessed the men's downhill medal event at Whistler Creekside.