Ohuruogu powers to Olympic glory

Posted: Tuesday 19th August 2008 | 16:08

CHRISTINE OHURUOGU didn't believe in fairytales - until yesterday.

The British one-lapper added the Olympic 400m title to her World Championship crown with a victory that was every bit as improbable as her shock triumph in Osaka 12 months ago.

Few gave her a chance on arrival in Beijing. American Sanya Richards, absent last year, was back and in ominous form while Ohuruogu's season's ranked her only eighth in the world.

But the girl with the funny name from east London is made of strong stuff.

The one-time poster girl for London's 2012 bid - she grew up just a javelin threw from the new Olympic stadium - had delivered and done it four years early.

Ohuruogu becomes only the fourth British woman to win an Olympic track gold, following Anne Packer, Sally Gunnell and Kelly Holmes.

"I don't know where I am right now," she said. "I simply cannot believe what has just happened, there's no way this is going to sink in for a long time.

"I'm completely lost for words. I just saw my brothers in the crowd and I'm so pleased that they were here to see me and it was so good to see them.

"I'm just so proud of myself. I always knew this competition was going to be hard and I knew I wasn't the favourite but I always thought I had a good chance of winning.

"My coach always told me to go out and try and win every race I was competing I whether it be the final or the first round.

"That way I would build my confidence and have belief that no-one could beat me and that has now paid off in the best possible way."

DANIEL SCHOFIELD