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Upset as Holmes takes 800m

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* Mutola powers ahead

Athens - Britain's Kelly Holmes ended years of frustration at major championships to win the women's 800 metres Olympic title on Monday.

The 34-year-old timed 1minute 56.43 seconds to take the gold while Hasna Benhassi was called second after a photo finish with Jolanda Ceplak despite being given the same time of 1:56.43.

Reigning champion and long-time queen of the event Maria Mutola of Mozambique was run out of the medals and Holmes' training partner had to settle for fourth.

Mutola had taken the lead off five-time Olympian Jearl Miles-Clark down the stretch but lacked her normal kick.

Little by little and inch by inch Holmes ground her down before edging clear and crossing the line while Benhassi and Ceplak passed the 31-year-old Mozambiquean on the line.

Holmes, wracked down the years by injury, looked at the screen in disbelief before going on her lap of honour while Mutola slipped off straight to the changing rooms.


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