Williams collects gold medal but remains in dreamland

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Vancouver

AMY Williams stayed as ice cool on the podium as she did on the track - her stiff upper lip never quivering in the very best British traditions.

GOLDEN GIRL: Great Britain's first individual Winter Olympic champion Amy Williams admits she went straight to bed after her victory (Getty Images)

But Williams admitted she was still in dreamland following her stunning skeleton Olympic gold.

Her cheering squad - which included five-time Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave and tycoon Sir Richard Branson - partied long and hard into the night following the British slider's victory.

Exhausted, she just went straight to bed - although with the medal finally hanging around her neck, she insisted it was time to let her hair down.

"I know it's boring but after I won I was just so tired," she added. 

"By all accounts my team went out and celebrated hard for me but I just wanted to go to bed and sleep.

"I've put some much on hold to achieve this ambition, I've not been out and I've not given my friends enough attention.

"To be honest I've become a bit of a bore but I can celebrate now."

Williams's victory ended a 30-year wait for a British individual Winter Olympic champion.

She is also the first woman from the UK to win an individual title at the Winter Games since figure skater Jeanette Altwegg 58 years ago.

She is now expected to cash-in on big money sponsorship deals when she returns home, while team insiders predict she will carry the flag in next week's closing ceremony.

Olympics minister Tessa Jowell is also expected to recommend that the 27-year old receives recognition in the Queen's next honours' list and she has also been installed as favourite for this year's BBC Sports Personality Award.

"I'm just so happy to finally get the medal in my hands and hold it - it's been a long wait," said Williams, who received her gold 24 hours after her shock victory.

"I was so nervous, my legs were shaking.

"It's still not hit me, even when I was up there hearing the national anthem, it's still a bit of a dream.

"I didn't cry but I blubbed earlier when I saw my brother and sister back in the pub, back home."

 

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day nine of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver

IN PICTURES: Amy Williams her Olympic skeleton gold medal