Kenya's Pamela Jelimo One of the Most Sensational Runners of the Beijing Olympics

Jelimo may not be getting the publicity of Usain Bolt and Liu Xiang, but she is the new sensation of these Games. She is 18, was still a sprinter only last year and now has an Olympic gold medal, a world junior record and a place in the all-time top ten. She stepped up to middle-distance running this year only on the advice of Janeth Jepkosgei, her Kenyan compatriot, who, given that she finished second yesterday, may be regretting her sagacity. With her victory, Jelimo became the first Kenyan woman to win an athletics gold medal at an Olympic Games.

Mutola tried to keep pace, but she was struggling by the back straight on the second lap. Jelimo was disappearing at that point, having overtaken Jepkosgei at the bell, and Mutola came home in fifth place, three seconds behind and 17 years ahead.

Jelimo's time was 1min 54.87sec, faster than Mutola's best, but the Mozambique runner's record of six successive Olympics is a triumph of longevity in the 800metres. Her apotheosis came in Sydney when she fended off Kelly Holmes before the tables were reversed four years later. Could she make London? “Oh man, I'll be nearly 40.” Instead, she will retire after these Olympics, a wonderful career and an indelible story behind her.