Danvers delivers bronze
5:24pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
Natasha Danvers claimed bronze in the 400 metres hurdles on Wednesday night to boost Britain's bid for a top-four finish in the medals table.
Late in the evening Danvers secured bronze as she clung on to third place behind Jamaica's Melanie Walker, who posted an impressive new Olympic record of 52.64s, and Sheena Tosta of the USA.
Danvers felt it was 'amazing' to land an Olympic medal after a season ruined by injury and told BBC1: "I am just pleased beyond myself. I am just so thrilled because it has been probably the worst year and now the best year of my life all in one."
She added: "The first half of the year was horrendous and to be able to finish it like this is amazing because I knew it was there but getting all the pieces to fit in at exactly the right time takes art.
"This sport is an art and it takes a lot to get everything to happen at the right time.
"In May I had Achilles problems so bad I couldn't even run 50 metres. That's when I broke down at the track crying and said, 'I've got to get back to the UK'.
"We 'rehabbed' that for over a week and in the first training session back I tore my hamstring.
"That was just part one. And there was so much more that happened after that.
"I'm just thrilled. I don't even know what time I ran, I just knew I got a medal. I visualised my name on the board in a medal position, every single one - gold, silver and bronze.
"I'm just very, very pleased about what the future holds."