Radcliffe had been touted as the country's only real hope for an Olympic track and field gold but after she failed to complete the marathon last Sunday, Holmes took over the mantle in glorious style.

The following day she ended a succession of frustrating silver and bronze medals by winning the 800 metres and on Saturday she completed a dream double by breaking her own seven-year-old British record to win a 1,500 race in which seven of the first nine recorded personal best times.

Both victories were achieved in classic style, with Holmes patiently waiting in the pack before going wide to launch a devastating attack on the final bend.

Only Tatyana Kazankina of the Soviet Union in 1976 and Svetlana Masterkova of Russia in 1996 have previously managed the double and Holmes was overwhelmed to be joining such illustrious company.

"For the last seven years I have had loads of injuries and I have only brought back silvers and bronzes," she said. "Now I have had an injury-free year and look what's happened."

At 34, Holmes is the oldest winner of the 1,500, introduced in 1972 and the race she was targeting before the start of the Games.

"I have been training specifically for the 1,500 and the hardest thing tonight was to focus," she said. "I've looked at my 800 medal every morning and got tears in my eyes.

"Today I was thinking 'I've got one and I just want this over and done with'.

"I am just so exhausted, I can't even express how I feel.

The first time (800) was a shock but this one I can't comprehend, I'm so tired."

Of the race itself, Holmes said the hardest part was to keep her discipline.

"I knew I was in good shape and I was just saying to myself: 'One more, one more'.

"But it was hard because I knew I had to stick to my own tactics. I just pretended I didn't know anyone in the race. I was moving into my own position and no-one else mattered. I just had to make the move at the right time.

"Once I had 80 metres to go I knew I would win but I kept looking behind me to make sure because I had nothing left."