Golden Romero rides into Olympic history

10:36am Sunday 17th August 2008

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REBECCA Romero made British Olympic history this morning as she won gold in the 3000m cycling pursuit - four years after winning Olympic rowing silver.

She beat Wendy Houvenaghel in an all-British final at the Velodrome to complete one of the most amazing stories in Olympic history.

She is the first British woman to medal in two different sports at the Olympics.

She quit rowing because of injury and took up cycling after going for a training ride with High Wycombe Cycling Club.

The former Marlow Rowing Club member from Lane End showed it was the right decision as romped to victory with a margin of more than two seconds but even though her win never looked in doubt she had to pinch herself afterwards.

She said: "When I crossed the line I had to check it was me.

"It is magical. It has been so hard getting here. I can't explain what I have been through."

Her victory came just minutes after her former rowing crew had had to settle for silver in the Games.

The 28-year-old said: "I feel so gutted for them."

She became Marlow's second goal medallist of the morning following on from Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter's victory in the lightweight double sculls.