LONDON (AP) — Jessica Ennis has won the Olympic heptathlon gold medal for Britain, starting with a record in the hurdles and finishing off almost 36 hours later with an 800-meter run that was more like two victory laps of the packed, 80,000-seat stadium.
Ennis went into the last of her seven events with a lead of 188 points over Austra Skujyte of Lithuania and extended her margin by winning the last race Saturday in 2 minutes, 08.65 seconds.
The capacity crowd went wild as Ennis collapsed over the line. The stadium announcer said it was the first track and field gold medal for Britain in London since 1908.
She posted a total of 6,955 points, a British record. World champion Tatyana Chernova, a great second-day performer, finished strongly to take silver in 6,628. Lyudmyla Yosypenko of Ukraine with 6,618.
The capacity crowd went wild as Ennis collapsed over the line and the stadium announced Britain’s first track gold medal in London since 1908.
Ennis sobbed at the end, then carried a Union flag around the track.
Ennis has recorded PBs in three of her first six events, including the fastest 100-meter hurdles ever run in a heptathlon.
British commentators were already describing the 800 as a “two victory laps” for Ennis prior to the race.
Jessica Ennis takes the lead in the women’s heptathlon after four events at Olympic Stadium in London. The home favorite will will go for gold in front of a raucous crowd.
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