Post by Taxigirl on Aug 24, 2004 9:30:19 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/athletics/3592752.stm
Newly-crowned Olympic 800m champion Kelly Holmes is aiming for a historic second gold when the 1500m heats get under way on Tuesday evening.
British middle-distance legends Seb Coe and Steve Ovett both failed to win the two events at the same Olympics.
But Holmes, riding high after storming to a sensational 800m win on Monday night, is in confident mood.
She said: "I still can't believe it. But hopefully I can get some sleep and be awake enough to run at my best."
Holmes' 1500m challenge begins with her first-round heat at 1838 BST.
If she qualifies safely, she then has the advantage of a clear rest day before Thursday's semi-final, which begins at 1830 BST.
There is then another rest day before the final on Saturday, which again starts at 1830 BST.
"I've been concentrating on the 1500m," said Holmes.
"I figured it was going to be a risk (to double up) but if I just decided to do the 1500m, maybe I would have regretted the 800.
"So I thought 'Give it a go, see what happens.'"
Holmes fought past reigning 800m champion Maria Mutola in an epic duel over the last 80 metres to take Britain's first track gold of these Games.
She was in last place after 300m but timed her run superbly to win her first global title in 1 minute 56.38 seconds.
Holmes became the first British woman to win an Olympic title on the track since Sally Gunnell in 1992, and the first since Ann Packer in 1964 to win the 800m crown.
Newly-crowned Olympic 800m champion Kelly Holmes is aiming for a historic second gold when the 1500m heats get under way on Tuesday evening.
British middle-distance legends Seb Coe and Steve Ovett both failed to win the two events at the same Olympics.
But Holmes, riding high after storming to a sensational 800m win on Monday night, is in confident mood.
She said: "I still can't believe it. But hopefully I can get some sleep and be awake enough to run at my best."
Holmes' 1500m challenge begins with her first-round heat at 1838 BST.
If she qualifies safely, she then has the advantage of a clear rest day before Thursday's semi-final, which begins at 1830 BST.
There is then another rest day before the final on Saturday, which again starts at 1830 BST.
"I've been concentrating on the 1500m," said Holmes.
"I figured it was going to be a risk (to double up) but if I just decided to do the 1500m, maybe I would have regretted the 800.
"So I thought 'Give it a go, see what happens.'"
Holmes fought past reigning 800m champion Maria Mutola in an epic duel over the last 80 metres to take Britain's first track gold of these Games.
She was in last place after 300m but timed her run superbly to win her first global title in 1 minute 56.38 seconds.
Holmes became the first British woman to win an Olympic title on the track since Sally Gunnell in 1992, and the first since Ann Packer in 1964 to win the 800m crown.