I've watched this race so many times since 2004. This imo is the best clip of it on RUclips. The commentary was excellent. Brendan Foster predicted her tactics to the T. The prior assesment of the runners was spot on. This was top notch commentary by two former world class athletes. After all those years of disappointment Kelly was physically fit and able to run her race..... and won the Olympic gold medal.
I remember watching this as a 10 year old, on holiday with my parents and brother. It was on in all the pubs and bars, and the whole place we were at erupted when she won. Lots of good memories of just pure joy.
This is one of the best fields ever in women's middle distance running. What a performance to win gold. I remember thinking that I had burst a blood vessel screaming at the TV over the last 50 metres.
I always remember the girl who finished second having a rant after the race saying that “Holmes has no honour because she knows that another meter I would have won that race” Unfortunately love it isn’t called the 800 and one meter race. 🤷♂️
It was an extraordinary race, accompanied by the remarkable commentary of Crammy and Brendan Foster. Dame Kelly Holmes executed her tactics flawlessly, leading the top three-Holmes, Benhassi, and Ceplak-from 6th, 7th, and 8th positions at the start of the final lap to a triumphant 1-2-3 finish. This dramatic shift underscores the tactical nature of middle-distance racing. Jearl Miles Clark, the world champion over 400m in Stuttgart '93, set a blistering pace that benefited Holmes greatly, clocking 56.3 seconds on the first lap and 60.0 on the second. The race's conclusion was thrillingly tight, with Benhassi and Ceplak nearly snatching victory in a photo finish that left Mutola trailing. Benhassi's silver and Ceplak's bronze were commendable achievements, especially considering Ceplak's indoor 800m world record and her less-than-ideal form before the games. Holmes's decision to compete in the 800m, made just five days before the event after a convincing win over Ceplak at the Norwich Union International in Birmingham, proved to be a masterstroke. Crammy captured the moment at 5:43, marking it as the pinnacle of Holmes's long, arduous, and emotional journey, which included a silver and bronze at the '95 World Championships, a challenging time at the '96 Olympics, an injury at the '97 World Championships, a bronze in Sydney with only six weeks of training, a Commonwealth title in Manchester '02, a silver in Paris '03, and now, her crowning achievement-Olympic gold.
Absolutely love this, very reminiscent of the legendary Wottle 800m, both right at the back and came through at the end, wonderful, I remember watching this live and screaming at the TV 😍😍
Ceplak was right - another metre and Holmes would not have won gold. That is how perfectly she ran that race Ceplak ran a perfect 801 metre race. Hats off your dameship ❤
Ceplak's finish was mistimed as she and Benhassi rapidly closed in on Holmes; nevertheless, it was a commendable bronze medal achievement. As Crammy noted, the season had been challenging for the indoor 800m world record holder, but she rose to the occasion when it counted.
From Ovett to Holmes I've watched every British runner and since. Steve Cram commentary. O I remember when Cram creamed the world as well. It makes me so proud xx
Amazing memories they don't breed em like Kelly anymore still gives me goosebumps she was so confident in her ability to chase mutola n the rest down PRIDE OF BRITAIN DAME KELLY HOLMES🥇🥇🥇🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
I was around 14... When I saw Kelly win the 800 and 1500 MTRS ...at the Olympics 2008.. I guess she was my first crush ...I loved her as a athlete..but she looked like a super hero to me...I had pictures of her on my bedroom wall... fantastic night in athletics... Melanie 34 🌈❤
Kelly saved Britain that day. Before that they were having a crap Olympics. Kelly is great. Seen her on tv quite a bit recently and she comes across as a lovely person
Ceplak, the indoor world record holder at 800m at the time, was not in her best form going into the games, as noted by Crammy and Brendan Foster, yet she delivered when it counted.
British women do quite well at the 800 when the Olympics fall in a year that ends with a 4: Ann Packer gold 1964, Lorraine Baker 5th 1984, Kelly Holmes gold 2004, and now Keely Hodgkinson gold 2024.
it's amazing that benhassi was dead last with 250 meters to go and she almost caught up to holmes. she almost did a dave wottle. holmes was 34 years old here. that is old for 800m runner.
Perfect running....you know 100% your time....first lap, second lap, let the hot heads run themselves out....just stick to your time and your pace. Believe in your pace. Your pace will see you through.
Hasna Benhassi was a promising athlete, discovered by the great Said Aouita himself who trained her in the beginning, but she complained about his rigorous training method which lead him to quit wishing her all the best luck. If she continued with Aouita she would have better carrier.
You can only beat who is in front of you but my memory is that several of the very top athletes were not competing in the 800m at these games and that KH best time for the 800m was well below the best in the world at the time. But gold medals mean everything.
KH's winning time of 1:56.39 wasn't far off the world's fastest that year, held by Russian Tatyana Andrianova with a time of 1:56.23. Crammy highlighted at the beginning, while introducing the lineup for the final, that Andrianova had the year's fastest time going into the games. However, considering the Russian championships took place just weeks before the games, Andrianova should have been in prime racing condition. Yet, she was notably absent in the final, having miscalculated her tactics by matching Miles Clark's pace, which was faster than necessary. Additionally, the other two Russians, Svetlana Cherkasova and Natalya Khrushchelyova, were both eliminated in the semi-finals. Moreover, Kelly had been uncertain about competing in the 800m, despite defeating Ceplak at the Norwich Union International event in Birmingham prior to Athens. She made the decision to participate only five days before the event, a choice that proved to be remarkably astute.
She was a tremendous runner. Some time after the Olympic double I was waiting in the traffic on Chelsea Bridge and there she was talking with a couple of people all in jogging gear, and her head was on a 360 degree swivel, Im famous whos looking at me type of thing, consumed with self regard. I must admit I felt rather disappointed.
I thought Maria Mutola looked like a man. But by Jove Old Chap or Chapess….! But that missy Ceplak deffo looks 👀 like a bloke. The best woman won on the day. The amount of near misses and injuries Dame Kelly Holmes had, had over the years made it even more enjoyable than ever in my book. Also the look 👀 of astonishment on her face. Magical. Then she went on to win the 1500m later. Pure Gold X’s 2. Go on Kelly, ya showed the world. Numero Uno….!
In what way has Sifan Hassan based her style on Kelly Holmes? I can't see any resemblance in terms of their respective running style, tactics or come to that anything physical at all as they are built very differently and have a stride that is very different. Sorry I can see absolutely no resemblance between the two at all other than they both run the 1500m(which this race wasn't). This race was run at a distance that Sifan has not run at the highest level(which is saying something as Sifan has competed at a great variety of distances).
I find Kelly sympathetic, but she looked so unhealthy anorexic in Athens. Scary almost, her hollow eyes. Very differerent from her normal looks (in Sydney 2000 for example). It's great reat she gained her double triumph. And even better she could retire with that, because competing/living long term , with low weight like that could not be good ..
Name one person man or woman, other than Kelly that has won 800 and 1500 Olympic golds in the same games. I’ll wait. Last person to win 2 golds in a games on the track before Kelly was Albert Hill, 84 years prior.
Coronation Day 2023. just watched this again , me a 70year old bald guy, still burst into tears every time I see it. wonderful - Go Kelly !!
Great comment right here and well said.
One of the truly great moments in UK sport. Think the whole nation cried in happiness for her.
I'm still crying now lol
I can honestly say I didn’t
Waaaah Waaaaah Waaaaaah
This still gets me emotional years later. I remember being 13 years old and cheering her on like crazy!
I shall never forget the look on her face after she crossed the line first, very emotional moment.
I've watched this race so many times since 2004. This imo is the best clip of it on RUclips. The commentary was excellent. Brendan Foster predicted her tactics to the T. The prior assesment of the runners was spot on. This was top notch commentary by two former world class athletes. After all those years of disappointment Kelly was physically fit and able to run her race..... and won the Olympic gold medal.
Great commentary..their excitement is palpable
IT'S GOLD!
Cram really is good at commentating on gold medal winning races for British athletes.
That last "come on Kelly Holmes" is fantastic
Steve Cram "1:56 something. I don't care" .. classic
Still one of my favourite moments in the Olympics. What a woman.
I still cry with pride every time I watch this, what a legend ❤ I'll never forget this moment ❤
Honestly crying woth happiness rewatching the legend!
Why does this race still give me goosebumps watching it. Years later Steve cram marvellous commentary.
I remember watching this and thinking that she was too far back at the end of the first lap! 🤣🤣
Steve Cram’s commentary was brilliant!
Cram was willing her over the line!
@@jaydaniels6172 Cram knows how hard the final 100m of a middle distance race is, when you're neck and neck with somebody. As does Brendan Foster.
Last three at the bell were the first three at the end. Pace judgement is key in the 800m.
Dave Wottle
Incredible commentary, full of heart and emotion.
We had a poster of Kelly up in our school corridor. Inspirational. Brings tears to my eyes still now. The commentary builds this up fantastically
Still gives me goose bumps when watching this.
You can hear Crammy choking up. Very well deserved for Dame Kelly.
I remember watching this as a 10 year old, on holiday with my parents and brother. It was on in all the pubs and bars, and the whole place we were at erupted when she won. Lots of good memories of just pure joy.
This is one of the best fields ever in women's middle distance running. What a performance to win gold. I remember thinking that I had burst a blood vessel screaming at the TV over the last 50 metres.
I always remember the girl who finished second having a rant after the race saying that “Holmes has no honour because she knows that another meter I would have won that race” Unfortunately love it isn’t called the 800 and one meter race. 🤷♂️
Never heard that before!.Such a stupid comment to make!.
.Ít's called the 800 meters Race not the 801 meters Race!
Plus she was in the third lane around that last turn! She technically ran more than 800m and still beat everyone. :)
Idk if that’s true or not, but assuming it is that’s one of the worst excuses I’ve ever heard.
You sure it wasn't Ceplak in third? There was some bad blood between her and Holmes so it wouldn't surprise me if it was her having a rant.
Yes and had it been 1 m less then she wouldn't of won anything. It can work both ways. A perfectly ran race from Kelly
A very brave heart todo very intelligent Kelly Holmes and tears with my eyes 😭👍
It was an extraordinary race, accompanied by the remarkable commentary of Crammy and Brendan Foster. Dame Kelly Holmes executed her tactics flawlessly, leading the top three-Holmes, Benhassi, and Ceplak-from 6th, 7th, and 8th positions at the start of the final lap to a triumphant 1-2-3 finish. This dramatic shift underscores the tactical nature of middle-distance racing. Jearl Miles Clark, the world champion over 400m in Stuttgart '93, set a blistering pace that benefited Holmes greatly, clocking 56.3 seconds on the first lap and 60.0 on the second. The race's conclusion was thrillingly tight, with Benhassi and Ceplak nearly snatching victory in a photo finish that left Mutola trailing. Benhassi's silver and Ceplak's bronze were commendable achievements, especially considering Ceplak's indoor 800m world record and her less-than-ideal form before the games. Holmes's decision to compete in the 800m, made just five days before the event after a convincing win over Ceplak at the Norwich Union International in Birmingham, proved to be a masterstroke. Crammy captured the moment at 5:43, marking it as the pinnacle of Holmes's long, arduous, and emotional journey, which included a silver and bronze at the '95 World Championships, a challenging time at the '96 Olympics, an injury at the '97 World Championships, a bronze in Sydney with only six weeks of training, a Commonwealth title in Manchester '02, a silver in Paris '03, and now, her crowning achievement-Olympic gold.
Love this background!
Absolutely love this, very reminiscent of the legendary Wottle 800m, both right at the back and came through at the end, wonderful, I remember watching this live and screaming at the TV 😍😍
Kelly was the ultimate fighter! She never quit. There's no substitute for an hour's bayonet practice at dawn six days a week.
Kelly, brilliant race! Well deserved. Outstanding commentary!
R.I.P. Maria Cioncan! :(
Wonderful pictures and commentary
I had my foot in plaster and had to go back to hospital to get it recast after jumping out of my seat.
Lol 😆. Great stuff.
What a wonderful moment.
I met Kelly and her training group in South Africa. She's an awesome person
Ceplak was right - another metre and Holmes would not have won gold. That is how perfectly she ran that race Ceplak ran a perfect 801 metre race. Hats off your dameship ❤
Ceplak's finish was mistimed as she and Benhassi rapidly closed in on Holmes; nevertheless, it was a commendable bronze medal achievement. As Crammy noted, the season had been challenging for the indoor 800m world record holder, but she rose to the occasion when it counted.
Loved this
My local went mad when she won
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
The absolute grit that she showed in this race. I remember blubbing my eyes out when she did it.
Excellent Kelly and what great coverage by the commentators :)
Goosebumps
From Ovett to Holmes I've watched every British runner and since. Steve Cram commentary. O I remember when Cram creamed the world as well. It makes me so proud xx
from last to 1st.. pretty epic come back to win..
What an absolute memorable performance, one of the finest, if not THE finest in the history of British athletics! Kelly I salute you🎉
Tactically perfect. 🙏🏽❤️
Completely inspiring
Jesus what a finish
I return to this race often. Always gets me. ❤😢😂
Still think her achievements in Athens rank up there with all the greats.
Amazing memories they don't breed em like Kelly anymore still gives me goosebumps she was so confident in her ability to chase mutola n the rest down PRIDE OF BRITAIN DAME KELLY HOLMES🥇🥇🥇🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Come on Kelly!! Still gives me emotion
800 meters in less than 2 minutes is simply remarkable. Respect to all the runners.
I was around 14... When I saw Kelly win the 800 and 1500 MTRS ...at the Olympics 2008.. I guess she was my first crush ...I loved her as a athlete..but she looked like a super hero to me...I had pictures of her on my bedroom wall... fantastic night in athletics... Melanie 34 🌈❤
Awesome
What a race! This is what championship level athletics is all about.
What a race! One of the closest finishes one-through-four in Olympic middle-distance history. Was there ever a closer one?
Kelly saved Britain that day. Before that they were having a crap Olympics. Kelly is great. Seen her on tv quite a bit recently and she comes across as a lovely person
Every runner in this race won many big races,what a performance from the UK GIRL 😉
Who was the blonde girl? Came like a train that last 50, thankfully there wasn't another 10 metres left! Loved this.
Ceplak, the indoor world record holder at 800m at the time, was not in her best form going into the games, as noted by Crammy and Brendan Foster, yet she delivered when it counted.
2004 was magic for GB, Kelly obviously top but the 4x100 boys as well. Love watching these back
British women do quite well at the 800 when the Olympics fall in a year that ends with a 4: Ann Packer gold 1964, Lorraine Baker 5th 1984, Kelly Holmes gold 2004, and now Keely Hodgkinson gold 2024.
What a run by Kelly Holmes.
dame kelly what a champion
They don't come any better than that! What a race!
Wow, watching this makes me realise how much I miss the fans in the Tokyo 😔
What a come back for Benhassi
Brilliant commentary
Legend 👍
My neighbours could hear me yelling at the TV!😊
Ceplak... what a looker! ❤
What a finish. I forgot how good this was.
The most worthy winner of a gold ever
What a race indeed.
CHRISTINE AND KELLY! Childhood💃🏽🤪
With Holmes v Mutola and Lewis Francis v Greene in the relay, what an amazing screaming at the telly Olympics it was.
Que final
it's amazing that benhassi was dead last with 250 meters to go and she almost caught up to holmes. she almost did a dave wottle. holmes was 34 years old here. that is old for 800m runner.
Mereceu
Perfect running....you know 100% your time....first lap, second lap,
let the hot heads run themselves out....just stick to your time and your pace. Believe in your pace. Your pace will see you through.
250m to go, the three medalists were at the back. To all you middle distance runners, a constant speed is crucial.
What a lion she never gave up 🎉
Hasna Benhassi was a promising athlete, discovered by the great Said Aouita himself who trained her in the beginning, but she complained about his rigorous training method which lead him to quit wishing her all the best luck.
If she continued with Aouita she would have better carrier.
That is how you run an 800m race see also Dave Wottle 1972 Munich Final. The exception to this rule is Rudisha!
And Athing Mu.
The Wottle race is very similar to this, both waaay back but came through, both wonderful races
Having an Athens gold medal pretty special IMO
You can just see when you look at Kelly Holmes that she had her game face on...
Brilliant…from last place! I know it’s strategy, but jeez…
Great performance for hasna benhasi gazelle of atlas🇲🇦
What a race
Incredible finish from Ceplak.
Hope Mutola doesn't feel too bad about this
She finished faster than anyone...shades of Ian Stewart in the 5000m at Munich '72...too little, too late...
You can only beat who is in front of you but my memory is that several of the very top athletes were not competing in the 800m at these games and that KH best time for the 800m was well below the best in the world at the time. But gold medals mean everything.
KH's winning time of 1:56.39 wasn't far off the world's fastest that year, held by Russian Tatyana Andrianova with a time of 1:56.23. Crammy highlighted at the beginning, while introducing the lineup for the final, that Andrianova had the year's fastest time going into the games. However, considering the Russian championships took place just weeks before the games, Andrianova should have been in prime racing condition. Yet, she was notably absent in the final, having miscalculated her tactics by matching Miles Clark's pace, which was faster than necessary. Additionally, the other two Russians, Svetlana Cherkasova and Natalya Khrushchelyova, were both eliminated in the semi-finals. Moreover, Kelly had been uncertain about competing in the 800m, despite defeating Ceplak at the Norwich Union International event in Birmingham prior to Athens. She made the decision to participate only five days before the event, a choice that proved to be remarkably astute.
what a battle!!!! the best won!!
She was a tremendous runner. Some time after the Olympic double I was waiting in the traffic on Chelsea Bridge and there she was talking with a couple of people all in jogging gear, and her head was on a 360 degree swivel, Im famous whos looking at me type of thing, consumed with self regard. I must admit I felt rather disappointed.
The dude with the blonde hair almost had her at the line there. Phew!
I thought Maria Mutola looked like a man. But by Jove Old Chap or Chapess….! But that missy Ceplak deffo looks 👀 like a bloke. The best woman won on the day. The amount of near misses and injuries Dame Kelly Holmes had, had over the years made it even more enjoyable than ever in my book. Also the look 👀 of astonishment on her face. Magical. Then she went on to win the 1500m later. Pure Gold X’s 2. Go on Kelly, ya showed the world. Numero Uno….!
Incredible comeback of Jolanda Ceplak
That was absolutely incredible actually ! 😮
Hassan clearly based her style of Kelly, Homles gave me some great memories as a kid.
In what way has Sifan Hassan based her style on Kelly Holmes? I can't see any resemblance in terms of their respective running style, tactics or come to that anything physical at all as they are built very differently and have a stride that is very different. Sorry I can see absolutely no resemblance between the two at all other than they both run the 1500m(which this race wasn't). This race was run at a distance that Sifan has not run at the highest level(which is saying something as Sifan has competed at a great variety of distances).
Ceplak outstanding finish having been hampered on the back straight. Finishing line just came a fraction too soon for her!
Benhassi ran even faster than Kelly over the final 400 and the final 200, but just left it a smidge too late.
I realise the commentators are British but, just once, they might have mentioned the second and third place girls who came from way back.
first 4 at half way were last 4
That guy is always putting her down, saying everyone else is slowing!
A British commentator wanting a Brit to win… that’s what sport is about… great race..
4 years before she gets banned for performance drug use then four years later does this.. cover up drugs got so much better 😂😂😂😂
Two of the medallists were taking drugs, and it wasn't the winner.
I find Kelly sympathetic, but she looked so unhealthy anorexic in Athens. Scary almost, her hollow eyes. Very differerent from her normal looks (in Sydney 2000 for example). It's great reat she gained her double triumph. And even better she could retire with that, because competing/living long term , with low weight like that could not be good ..
We've a new golden girl now! Think Keely Hodgkinson is going to get the world title next year, true racer.
Kelly was never world champion
Name one person man or woman, other than Kelly that has won 800 and 1500 Olympic golds in the same games.
I’ll wait.
Last person to win 2 golds in a games on the track before Kelly was Albert Hill, 84 years prior.
Peter Snell 800m & 1500m Tokyo 1964.