Olympics-Athletics-Ohuruogu surges to gold for Britain

By Julian Linden

BEIJING (Reuters) - Christine Ohuruogu surged to the Olympic women's 400 metres title on Tuesday to provide Britain with their first athletics gold medal after she almost missed the Games because of a doping ban.

The 24-year-old, who won an appeal allowing her to compete in Beijing after she was suspended for missing three out-of-competition drug tests, powered home over the last 50 metres to cross the line in 49.62 seconds.

"It's not luck, I worked damn hard for this," Ohuruogu, who won the world title in Japan last year less than a month after returning from a 12-month ban, told reporters.

"I might not always get the best start, I might not always be the fastest person, but I just say now if you are going to beat me you are going to have to fight very hard."

American Sanya Richards looked to have the race won after setting off at a cracking pace and leading into the straight when she felt a sudden problem with her hamstring and had to settle for bronze in 49.93.

"I was definitely in control of the race. When I got to the 320 mark, my right hamstring grabbed on me and I just couldn't move it any more," Richards said.

"My legs just got really heavy. I knew that gold was mine, I felt I was going to run it in 48 seconds, I was in a good position."

Shericka Williams flashed past the fading Richards to snatch the silver medal in 49.69 and continue Jamaica's excellent performances on the track.