Chambers has golden touch

Dwain Chambers put Olympic and World Championship disappointments behind him by taking the 100 metres gold at the Goodwill Games in a race he "really wasn't feeling up for".

Despite claiming that he was suffering from jet-lag after arriving here only a few days ago, the Briton powered out of the blocks after two false starts to win in 10.11sec, ahead of the World Championship silver medallist, Tim Montgomery of the United States, in 10.27, and the Australian Matt Shirvington, in 10.30.

Chambers just missed out on a medal at the Olympics in Sydney last year, finishing fourth, and came fifth at the World Championships in Edmonton in a season's best of 9.99. However, here he was able to capitalise on the absence of the Olympic champion and world record holder Maurice Greene, who was suffering from a leg injury.

"I never expected that, I just wanted to finish in the top three," said Chambers, who won the AAA title this year. "I am feeling so jet-lagged but I guess I just used that to my advantage.

"I was dumbstruck that I was out of the blocks first and then put away everybody. Beating Ato Boldon [who finished fifth] and Tim Montgomery is special. They medalled at the World Championships. That's a big confidence-builder, beating guys who have been beating me all year. I never expected to win today."

There was also further medal success for Britain in the women's competition, with Kelly Holmes claiming silver in the 800 metres.

Holmes led the field going into the final 200m ahead of the world champion Maria Mutola and the world silver medallist Stephanie Graf. However, Mutola surged ahead in the final 50m, winning in 1min 58.76sec, with Holmes clinging on to take the silver medal in 1:59.27 ahead of Graf in 2:00.93.

"I'm pleased with my run," said Holmes, who had finished sixth at the World Championships.

"I went out there determined not to watch the rest of the field, which is what we have all been doing this year. I knew Mutola would be right behind me, so I had to get out there strong."