Georgina Harland predicted Britain's success in modern pentathlon would continue into the Beijing Olympics and beyond after she won bronze in a dramatic finale to Friday's competition.

The 26-year-old world number one chased down 11 runners and a 49-second gap in the final event, the three kilometre cross-country run, to steal bronze at the end of a long day spent battling back from a near-disastrous start.

The shooting and fencing, never Harland's traditional strengths, had not gone well and after two events she lay 19th and seemingly with little hope of carrying home the medal so many expected of her.

But she refused to concede defeat and produced a magnificent swim, a confident ride on an easy-going horse - the luck of the draw - and then ran home to bronze.

On the way Harland passed team-mate Kate Allenby, who had won bronze in Sydney 2000, who urged her to "go get that medal for us" and that she did.

The modern pentathlon has only been an Olympic sport for women since 2000 and Great Britain's women have now claimed three medals, courtesy of Harland, Allenby and Sydney champion Stephanie Cook.

In 2000, Harland was team reserve and learned a great deal from what she saw and expects the next generation to have done the same here in Athens.

"Kate and I were here but there were so many other girls who could have been here pushing for medals," said Harland.

"It is really exciting to be surrounded by so many great athletes and they were all here supporting and I hope, like I did in Sydney, can take something from the race and go that step further.

"I have got to watch my tail now with all the youngsters coming through."

The future of modern pentathlon as an Olympic sport has recently been cast into doubt, despite the fact it was created by the modern Games founder Pierre de Coubertin.

But it is safe for Beijing 2008 and once Harland has fully absorbed her success here it is the Chinese capital to which she will turn her attentions.

"It is in the Beijing programme and I am confident it will around for a long time," she said.

"There have been questions about it and we are just looking forward to Beijing in four years.

"I will appreciate this medal first but I would definitely like to be around in four years. We have a great team."