After placing seventh in the downhill run, Miller skied the third-fastest slalom leg for a two-run combined time of 2min44.92sec.

Miller said: "I skied with 100 per cent heart. I didn't hold anything back.

"It's just awesome.

"The way I executed, the way I skied, is something I'll be proud of the rest of my life."

Having skipped off-season training while he debated retiring, Miller nearly did not have enough energy to hold on as he came over the final pitch of the slalom course.

He said: "My legs started feeling really wobbly.

"I didn't even feel like I was looking at the gate anymore."

Miller, a double silver medallist at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games, has also won a silver and a bronze at the Vancouver Games - a sharp contrast from his no-medal performance in Turin four years ago, when he made more headlines for his late-night partying than skiing.

Miller said he was running on "fumes" following his first two races.

But those who think that the medal might be the pinnacle of Miller's career would be mistaken.

He said: "The gold medal doesn't mean that much."

Throughout a 13-year career in which he's won more World Cup races (32), world titles (four) and Olympic medals (five) than any other American, Miller has said the quality of his skiing means the most to him.

He said: "The way I skied these last [three] races is what's important.

"I would have been proud of that skiing with a medal or not.

"The level that I skied at today is right at the very, very top."

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