Fresh from her 800 metres gold medal-winning run last night, Kelly Holmes has qualified for the 1,500 metres semi-finals after producing another typical surge down the back straight.
Holmes eased off with the finish line in sight, and her time of 4:05.58 was enough for her to qualify second in her heat behind Natalya Yevdokimova of Russia, who ran 4:05.55.
Holmes had returned to the scene of her Olympic triumph and she used the same tactics which brought her glory last night.
She played a waiting game in the 800 metres final, staying at the back of the pack and utilising a late burst, and she repeated the ploy tonight to ease through to Thursday’s 1,5000 metres semi-finals.
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Holmes admitted she had found it hard to concentrate, saying: ”The slow pace helped, I didn’t fancy another sprint after last night.
”It was very hard to come out and focus because I was trying to wave to all the crowd, and then I remembered I’m actually there to race.
”Now I can have a rest tomorrow, and I want to relax and take my mind away from everything.
”I want to come back on the start line and pretend I never won last night. I’ve got my dream but I will focus on the 1,500 metres.”
She was joined in the semi-finals by teammate Hayley Tullett - who qualified as a fastest loser in a time of 4:07.27 - but Jo Pavey understandably missed out after finishing fifth in the 5000 metres final late last night.
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Another of Britain’s medal hopes crashed out in the 400 metres hurdles, however, with Chris Rawlinson finishing last in his semi-final.
Rawlinson jogged over the line after it became clear he was not going to qualify, and then had ice applied to his left knee before being stretchered off the track.