Christine Ohuruogu Strikes Gold

Christine Ohuruogu becomes a 400 m Olympic champion with a perfectly timed race. The result further clarifies Ohuruogu's positions as the world's best 400 Metre runner. At 24 Ohuruogu list of Honours continues to grow and with this title she is now the current Olympic, Commonwealth and World champion at 400 Metres.

The race itself was seen as a great showdown between American Sanya Richards and Britian's Ohuruogu. Richards was hotley tipped before the race and was seen as the faster athlete; however Ohuruogu is an athlete with amazing strength. Richards has also failed to pick up the gold medals that her obvious talent deserves. In the end what really cost Richards is coming out way to fast and ultimately Richards was passed by Ohuruogu and Williams of Jamaica. Ohuruogu timed her move to perfection taking full advantage of an obvious weakness in the American. Ohuruogu made a solid start lagging behind the leaders, but on the final straight she sprinted through with a combination of her strength and power and the other athletes running out of steam. It was a very sound race from Ohuruogu mentally as she didn't panic when trailing and raced her own race.

In my mind Ohuruogu is a true champion and has proved so again today. At one point it was unclear if Ohuruogu would even compete as a result of a 2006 ban which initially included a full Olympic ban. That decision was later overturned. Ohuruogu was banned for a year after accidentally missing three drug tests. It is a testimony to Ohuruogu strength of character that she never complained or even discussed the decision at the time. Ohuruogu was at times excused of not taking the decision seriously for not discussing it, but as revealed in a recent interview with Christianity magazine this was only because she had accepted the decision. Like any true champion Christine has come back with a bang first by winning 400 Metres in the 2007, World Championships and now by winning Olympic gold. Everyone faces challenges in their lifetime and it's how you react that really matters. Christine has reacted in the best possible way by winning gold medals.

The medal that Christine won took Great Britain's tally to sixteen gold medals a quite remarkable achievement and represents the best performance by a British team since 1908. All this bodes well for the 2012 Olympics which will be held in London. At 2012 Christine is sure to play a key role for the British again.