(UPDATES with quotes)
Ethiopia's Tirunesh Dibaba put in a devastating last lap to retain her Olympic 10,000 meters title in London on Friday.
Dibaba, the double Olympic gold medalist in the 5,000m and 10,000m in Beijing, shook off Kenyan pair Sally Kipyego and Vivian Cheruiyot to win in 30 minutes, 20.75 seconds.
Kipyego, the 2011 world silver medalist, finished six seconds behind, with Cheruiyot a further four seconds back for bronze.
Somehow, the achievement eclipsed Dibaba's elation of 2008.
"I am very happy. I have never been happier like today. I was not even that happy compared to Beijing 2008," she said.
Friday saw the first day of the Olympic track and field program.
For Kipyego, it was a mix of pleasure and pain.
"I'm so pleased, so happy. It was a painful race, so I'm very happy to get the medal. It's so special to get a medal in my first Olympics."
