Holmes run

The Briton deposed her friend and training partner Maria Mutola as women's 800 metres Olympic champion in one of the biggest Athens upsets.

Holmes, who had never won a major title before and whose career has been blighted by serious injury, timed one minute 56.38 to win a blanket sprint to the line on Monday, following a brilliant tactical display.

Mutola, the dominant force of the event for around a decade and who had helped to breathe new life into Holmes's career, went away empty-handed.

"I can't believe it. I didn't realise I had won," the said the 34-year-old Holmes, who won bronze in Sydney [ Images ]. "I'm in shock -- absolute shock.

"I knew I was in front but had to see the replay twice to make sure. I was just digging in."

The British runner had enjoyed the worst of luck before today's shock.

She had only six weeks' training after injury before the 2000 Olympics [ Images ] and ran with a stress fracture in the 1996 Games. She was favourite for the 1997 worlds but ruptured her Achilles tendon and tore a calf muscle just before the competition.

For persevering when the going got tough in the manner of true champions, Kelly Holmes is our deserving Olympian of the day.