Rebecca Adlington won Great Britain’s first Olympic gold medal in swimming for 20 years with a stunning fightback in the women’s 400m freestyle.
Out of the medal positions at the final turn, the 19-year-old stormed back down the final length to pip American Katie Hoff by just 0.07secs.
And that wasn’t the only good news for Team GB as Joanne Jackson took the bronze medal.
Adlington won in 4mins 03.22secs to become the first British female to win gold in the pool since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960. She is the first British woman to claim a medal of any kind since 1984.
And there could be more glory to come for the Masnfield swimmer.
She still has her favourite event – the 800m free – to come, as well as the 4x200m freestyle relay.
Jackson was third in 4:03.52 as Britain matched their entire medal haul in the pool from Athens in one race.
Halfway
You could throw a blanket over the field at halfway, but the Britons timed their race to perfection.
Jackson was first to make her move and she was second at the final turn.
Hoff looked to have a built a decisive lead but Adlington powered up the final 50m to win it at the wall.
Italy’s pre-race favourite Federica Pellegrini could finish only fifth.
A thrilled Adlington said: “We are both so happy to have two British girls on the podium.
“It was a lot harder this morning. We just tried to ignore the times and race the final.”
“I don’t think either of us expected it and especially a gold and a bronze, it’s absolutely amazing.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m just over the moon.”
Panic
Adlington continued: “I don’t think either of us are natural sprinters, we don’t do the 100m free so we are naturally suited to the back half of the race.
“We didn’t panic when we were a little bit behind. I didn’t see anyone past Katie (Hoff), I didn’t know what was going on.
“I couldn’t see what there was on the other side of the pool, I saw Katie and just tried to catch her.”
21-year-old Jackson, from Northampton, was equally as thrilled to have claimed the bronze medal.
“I didn’t really know what to expect this morning because it was a hard swim last night to get into the final,” she said.
“For two British girls to get on the podium is amazing and I am so happy for both of us.
“It’s great for British swimming.”
source: Sky Sports