August 10 - Nicole Cooke (pictured) today won Britain’s first medal of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games following a gutsy sprint over the last 200 metres of the 126.4km women’s road race.

 
The victory of the 25-year-old Welshwoman was also the 200th gold medal won by Britain in the Summer Games since its revival in 1896.

Italy’s Tatiana Guderzo had threatened to break away from the chasing pack, but a four-woman group, including Cooke, hauled her back in over the final lap of the spectacular Beijing course along the Great Wall of China.

The leadership swapped several times as the cyclists powered up the final hill, but Cooke emerged victorious after holding off Sweden’s Emma Johannson and Guderzo in a desperate sprint to clinch victory in the pouring rain.

Cooke finished in a time of 3 hours 32min 24sec to become the first British rider to win gold in an Olympic road race.

The cyclist from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan is also the first Welsh competitor to win an Olympic gold medal since Richard Meade in the equestrian in Munich 36 years ago.

Cooke, who has just missed out on world and Olympic titles on past occasions, celebrated wildly after coming across the finish line.

She said: “We did it, it was perfect. It’s a dream come true.

"I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start.

"I have worked so hard, I am so happy.”

Her team-mates Emma Pooley, who for a period had led the race, and Sharon Laws finished 23rd and 35th respectively.

Simon Clegg, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “Nicole Cooke has just secured Team GB’s first medal – and what a medal.

"It’s not only gold but it’s Team GB’s 200th gold medal from the modern Olympic Games.

“Emma and Sharon did an awesome job in supporting Nicole in her race for gold."

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said: "This is a great start to the Beijing Olympics for Team GB and I have no doubt this medal will fire up the rest of the team to do their best in the next two weeks.

“Well done to Nicole Cooke – she has set us on our way.”

To watch a videa of Cooke's victory visit http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/10082008/58/cooke-wins-gb-s-first-gold.html.