Post by Taxigirl on Aug 28, 2004 9:17:53 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/athletics/3605460.stm
Date Saturday 28 August
Time: 1830 BST
Live: BBC1, Radio Five Live and BBC Sport website
Kelly Holmes will go for an historic second gold medal in Saturday's 1500m, an event she believes is her strongest.
The 800m champion can become the first Briton for 84 years to achieve the Olympic middle-distance double, but she admits she is not sure what to expect.
"I am trying to refocus for this event but it's hard to keep that motivation going," she said.
"I don't know what to expect any more. I'm just running each race and I'll take what comes."
Holmes ran a tactically superb race in Monday's 800m final, staying away from trouble at the back of the field before putting in a powerful finish to take victory on the line.
Twice Olympic 1500m champion Sebastian Coe described Holmes' victory as "the perfect race" and is confident she can triumph again on Saturday.
"She probably a better chance than anybody in the history of the sport that has gone for this," said Coe, who along with Steve Ovett, failed to win the double in his career.
"She's got the leg speed, she's got the conditioning and she can make the distance. She's also very tough."
However, the competition is tough, with Russian trio Olga Yegorova, Tatyana Tomashova and Natalya Yevdokimova expected to lead the challenge.
KELLY'S RIVALS
Elvan Abeylegesse
Fastest in the world this year
Olga Yegorova
Was one of the favourites - but struggled in the semis
Natalya Yevdokimova
Fastest qualifier for the final, just ahead of Holmes
Tatyana Tomashova
Upset the odds to become world champion last year
Hasna Benhassi
The Moroccan finished just behind Holmes in the 800m
Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse set the fastest time in the world this year in May, and will be keen to make up for missing out on the medals in the 5,000m.
But Holmes, who looked comfortable in both the heats and semi-final, is on a high after picking up an unexpected gold in the 800m.
"My gold medal is on my bed in my room and I keep stroking it - it will be worn out by the time I get home," she said.
"I am trying to forget I have got it but it is obviously very hard."
Date Saturday 28 August
Time: 1830 BST
Live: BBC1, Radio Five Live and BBC Sport website
Kelly Holmes will go for an historic second gold medal in Saturday's 1500m, an event she believes is her strongest.
The 800m champion can become the first Briton for 84 years to achieve the Olympic middle-distance double, but she admits she is not sure what to expect.
"I am trying to refocus for this event but it's hard to keep that motivation going," she said.
"I don't know what to expect any more. I'm just running each race and I'll take what comes."
Holmes ran a tactically superb race in Monday's 800m final, staying away from trouble at the back of the field before putting in a powerful finish to take victory on the line.
Twice Olympic 1500m champion Sebastian Coe described Holmes' victory as "the perfect race" and is confident she can triumph again on Saturday.
"She probably a better chance than anybody in the history of the sport that has gone for this," said Coe, who along with Steve Ovett, failed to win the double in his career.
"She's got the leg speed, she's got the conditioning and she can make the distance. She's also very tough."
However, the competition is tough, with Russian trio Olga Yegorova, Tatyana Tomashova and Natalya Yevdokimova expected to lead the challenge.
KELLY'S RIVALS
Elvan Abeylegesse
Fastest in the world this year
Olga Yegorova
Was one of the favourites - but struggled in the semis
Natalya Yevdokimova
Fastest qualifier for the final, just ahead of Holmes
Tatyana Tomashova
Upset the odds to become world champion last year
Hasna Benhassi
The Moroccan finished just behind Holmes in the 800m
Turkey's Elvan Abeylegesse set the fastest time in the world this year in May, and will be keen to make up for missing out on the medals in the 5,000m.
But Holmes, who looked comfortable in both the heats and semi-final, is on a high after picking up an unexpected gold in the 800m.
"My gold medal is on my bed in my room and I keep stroking it - it will be worn out by the time I get home," she said.
"I am trying to forget I have got it but it is obviously very hard."