This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/7552351.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Cyclist takes first Olympic gold | Cyclist takes first Olympic gold |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The first Olympic gold medal taken in 2008 by a British athlete has been won by Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke. | The first Olympic gold medal taken in 2008 by a British athlete has been won by Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke. |
| It is the 200th gold won by a Briton in Olympic history and the first time in 36 years a Welsh athlete has won one. | It is the 200th gold won by a Briton in Olympic history and the first time in 36 years a Welsh athlete has won one. |
| The 25-year-old from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan was racing in the Women's Road Race. | The 25-year-old from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan was racing in the Women's Road Race. |
| She finished in a time of three hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds. The last time a Welsh athlete took a gold medal was in 1972. | She finished in a time of three hours, 32 minutes and 24 seconds. The last time a Welsh athlete took a gold medal was in 1972. |
| Nicole Cooke took Britain's first gold medal in 2008 Cooke's Olympic gold celebrated | Nicole Cooke took Britain's first gold medal in 2008 Cooke's Olympic gold celebrated |
| Speaking after the race, she said: "We did it, it was perfect. It's a dream come true. | Speaking after the race, 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." | "I want to thank all the people who have been there from the start. I have worked so hard, I am so happy." |
| Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: "All congratulations to Nicole for a fantastic victory and what you can't perhaps quite sense at home is just the torrential rain that was falling on Beijing - and despite those incredibly tough weather conditions, she won. | |
| "It's a wonderful victory and a huge lift for Team GB." | "It's a wonderful victory and a huge lift for Team GB." |
| Friends and family at her home town in south Wales are planning to hold a celebration in her honour at a pub in the village later on Sunday. | Friends and family at her home town in south Wales are planning to hold a celebration in her honour at a pub in the village later on Sunday. |
| Cooke, who was born in Swansea, started racing seriously at 11 and her first big race was the Welsh Under-12 Cycle Cross Championships | Cooke, who was born in Swansea, started racing seriously at 11 and her first big race was the Welsh Under-12 Cycle Cross Championships |
| Nicole Cooke crossing the finishing line In pictures: Gold medal party | Nicole Cooke crossing the finishing line In pictures: Gold medal party |
| She became youngest winner of the Cycling World Cup at the age of 20. | She became youngest winner of the Cycling World Cup at the age of 20. |
| In 2002 she grabbed Commonwealth gold in her first season and in 2006 and 2007 won the Grande Boucle Féminine, the women's equivalent of the Tour de France. | In 2002 she grabbed Commonwealth gold in her first season and in 2006 and 2007 won the Grande Boucle Féminine, the women's equivalent of the Tour de France. |
| Four years ago in Athens, she came a very creditable fifth in the women's road race and 19th in the women's road time trial. | Four years ago in Athens, she came a very creditable fifth in the women's road race and 19th in the women's road time trial. |
| But at the 2008 Olympics in China she claimed her first gold medal. | But at the 2008 Olympics in China she claimed her first gold medal. |
| It was the first time since equestrian Richard Meade picked up two golds in the 1972 Games, one as a member of the three-day event team and one individual gold, that a Welsh athlete has taken Olympic gold glory. | It was the first time since equestrian Richard Meade picked up two golds in the 1972 Games, one as a member of the three-day event team and one individual gold, that a Welsh athlete has taken Olympic gold glory. |
| Cooke's family and friends watched the race from their home in Wick. | Cooke's family and friends watched the race from their home in Wick. |
| First Minister Rhodri Morgan described her victory as a "fantastic achievement". | First Minister Rhodri Morgan described her victory as a "fantastic achievement". |
| "I am so pleased for her because she had been planning this for four years since her disappointment in the Athens Games in 2004 when she was outwitted in the final attack. | "I am so pleased for her because she had been planning this for four years since her disappointment in the Athens Games in 2004 when she was outwitted in the final attack. |
| "This has brought her, Wales and Britain the honour of an Olympic Gold - the greatest prize in sport. | "This has brought her, Wales and Britain the honour of an Olympic Gold - the greatest prize in sport. |
| "It has been for a very long time, if ever, since a Welsh woman has taken a gold medal," he added. | "It has been for a very long time, if ever, since a Welsh woman has taken a gold medal," he added. |
| Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said: "This is another incredible achievement for one of our great sporting champions. | Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones said: "This is another incredible achievement for one of our great sporting champions. |
| "Despite such dreadful weather conditions, Nicole's strength and sheer determination secured a victory in China that will be celebrated as a great moment in Welsh sporting history for many years to come." | "Despite such dreadful weather conditions, Nicole's strength and sheer determination secured a victory in China that will be celebrated as a great moment in Welsh sporting history for many years to come." |