Kelly Holmes' last-minute gamble was rewarded with a glorious gold medal as she stormed to the Olympic 800 metres title in Athens.
Holmes wept tears of joy after claiming Britain's first athletics gold of the
Games in a time of one minute 56.38 seconds.
The former army sergeant only decided days ago to run the two-lap event as
well as the 1500m and it proved an inspired decision.
"I absolutely can't believe it, I'm in total shock," the 34-year-old said.
"When I crossed the line I thought I had won but then I thought maybe not
because everyone was there.
"I had to watch the screen and then someone shouted from the sideline that
I'd won and I just couldn't believe it.
"It's a dream come true and something I have been striving for all my life.
"I only made up my mind to compete the night before the first round. I don't
know what state I will be in tomorrow but I will be on the start line for the
1500m."
Holmes had found herself in last place in the early stages as American Jearl
Miles Clark set a high tempo at the front.
She was still seventh at the bell but then began surging through the field to
lie fourth with 200m to go.
So often in the past she has found former training partner Maria Mutola
impossible to get past in the home straight, but this time, with years of injury
finally behind her, she displayed typical grit and determination to edge past in
the final few strides.
Morocco's Hasna Benhassi took silver with Jolanda Ceplak of Slovenia the
bronze, Mutola pushed down to fourth on the line.
"I kept to my race plan which was to stay back as long as possible and then I
knew the last 150m had to be all out and I decided to go for it," Holmes
added.
"I have more strength than speed but I had to risk staying back."
Holmes is the first British woman to win an Olympic title on the track since
Sally Gunnell in 1992, and the first since Ann Packer in 1964 to win the 800m
crown.
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