SYDNEY (CP) -- Prime Minister Jean Chretien sent kudos to Olympic gold medallist Simon Whitfield on Sunday, saying the whole country was proud of the triathlete.

 Chretien spoke to Whitfield by phone live on CBC TV.

 "I want to congratulate you. It was a fantastic performance," Chretien told Whitfield. "I was watching it with probably millions of Canadians. The last dash was unbelievable."

 The 25-year-old from Kingston, Ont., who now makes his home in Victoria, sprinted past Stephan Vuckovic of Germany with the finish line in sight to win the gold.

 "It was thrilling," Whitfield told Chretien. "And it's thrilling to talk to you too."

 "A very funny coincidence, I was watching it with two Germans," Chretien said laughing. "Imagine the fun I had there."

 Chretien called the triathlon "probably the toughest contest" at the Games.