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Darren Campbell won a superb silver in the men's 200 metres at the Sydney Olympics on Thursday - but immediately expressed regret about letting gold slip through his fingers.

The Belgrave Harrier made up for his disappointment at only finishing sixth in the 100m final by clocking 20.14 seconds, behind surprise winner Kostantinos Kenteris of Greece who crossed the line in 20.09secs.

Pre-race favourite Ato Boldon of Trinidad took the bronze in 20.20, while Britain's Christian Malcolm (20.23) was just run out of the medals and had to settle for fifth place.

With an explosive run down the final straight it appeared Campbell may have had a chance to emulate his coach and trainer, Linford Christie, by capturing a gold medal at the Olympics.

But in the end he had to settle for second best.

"I am really pleased," said Campbell. "I was unhappy with how I went in the 100m. I wanted to do better tonight.

"It was hard for me and I didn't know how much I had left in the tank.

"I felt more confident as the rounds went on.

"I always believed something special would happen here and to win silver was a dream.

"(But) I could have got the gold medal. It felt close."

Campbell covered his face with his hands before lying down on the track as a show of disappointment at having not won the title, but eventually stood up after being congratulated by Malcolm and Boldon.

He then went to celebrate with Christie, who was watching in the stands.

Since he is serving a ban after testing positive for nandrolone, Christie is not allowed on the warm-up track and has to watch the event sitting in the crowd.

"It has been really difficult for him," said Campbell referring to his coach. "This is for him. We have really worked hard together.

"I could see Linford and Jamie (Baulch) as I stepped out into the stadium and I think I heard them shouting encouragement."

After winning the 100m at the European Championship two years ago, it was a breakthrough performance at the longer distance for Campbell - although he insisted he wants to be known for his expertise in both.

"I only started doing 200s seriously this year," he added.

"I never wanted to be a specialist, because it's not about that.

"It's about being known as one of the best sprinters in the world and running both events just as Maurice (Greene), Ato (Boldon) and Frankie Fredericks have done.

"I always wanted to run both 100s and 200s and here, I wanted to get the gold medal. Lots of people don't have faith in me, but I proved them all wrong."

Campbell, 27, came to Sydney off a season when he did not perform well.

"I didn't have a great year last year," he said. "And I thought to myself, I'm not getting any younger. I have a young son that I need to provide for."

While disappointed at failing to get a medal, Malcolm took heart from the latest stage in his rapid development at the age of 21.

He said: "I am thrilled that I made the final, although a little bit disappointed to have finished fifth.

"I would have loved to have got a medal.

"But as I said before, I had a three-year programme to move from junior level to becoming a world-class at senior level. I am delighted I have done that in two years."

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Kenteris - virtually an unknown before the Olympics - is sure to return home to a hero's welcome with Greece now able to promote their Games around a gold medallist.

"I can't believe that I've won gold," he said.

"I didn't come here to lose, I came here to win. I was very happy when I crossed the line. I said Kostan the Greek would win. I feared nobody."

It was disappointment for Boldon, who had been the favourite for the event when good friend Maurice Greene and 1996 champion Michael Johnson failed to qualify at the United States Olympics trials.

"Obviously I would have liked for it to be gold," said Boldon.

"I started well, I took the turn well. I tried to save a bit on the turn but with 150m to go I ran out of gas."

Campbell's arrival as a world-class sprinter was hailed by no less an authority than Boldon's celebrated coach John Smith - the man in charge of 100m gold medal winner Maurice Greene.

"Darren has arrived as a furlong runner," Smith proclaimed.

"All of us have the utmost respect for British sprinters and their development over the years has been remarkable.

"Darren proved by stepping up here that he can make the grade at world class. He is following in the footsteps of Linford Christie and it is time you Britons realised what exciting talent you have."