Lewis the toast of British stars

Mary Peters on her way to Olympic gold in 1972

Mary Peters, the last British woman to win Olympic gold for Britain in a multi discipline event back in 1972, has paid tribute to the efforts of Britain's Sydney heptathlon gold medallist Denise Lewis.

"She's just brilliant," Peters said of Lewis. "I knew when I saw the strapping on her leg she was obviously going to find it difficult here and when it started to get so cold and wet I really feared for her, but I'm so happy."

Peters took her gold in the pentathlon, contested over five events, so she was fully aware of the dedication and commitment that Lewis had had to show.

"It's even harder for Denise because she has two extra events than I did.

In my final race I had to run faster than I ever had before so I know how she must have been feeling going out there tonight, knowing that she had to beat the others by such a distance.

Yesterday (Saturday) I was out at the rowing and we had the same emotion then. To get one in the stadium I think will lift the whole athletic team and I'm sure there are more gold medals to come

  Mary Peters

"But she's done it and she'll live on the joy of it for the rest of her life and we want to share it with her."

It's not the first time that Peters has been on hand to see Lewis pick up a gold medal as she revealed.

"I saw her win her first Commonwealth gold medal and I was with her then and I shared those joys. This is a very happy moment for all of us."

Changed

And the champion of 28 years ago also said how Olympic success had changed her own life.

"I lived in Northern Ireland and things weren't very good at that time politically so it was a joyous moment for the people of Belfast to share with me.

"But I was able to put things back by building a track for the young people of Northern Ireland and 28 years on I'm still enjoying it."

Sebastian Coe enjoys his own Olympic success

Now she hopes that Lewis will be able to enjoy the same fulfilment from her success.

"She's not only a great athlete but she's also a lovely lady. You saw her reaction to her mum, who has been supportive all the way through.

"But Denise is very good to her and she's very good to her friends. She's charming, she's elegant, she's attractive and she's very athletic and she's Olympic champion.

The heptathlon gold took Great Britain's gold haul at these Games to five and Peters believes there will be more to follow.

"Yesterday (Saturday) I was out at the rowing and we had the same emotion then. To get one in the stadium I think will lift the whole athletic team and I'm sure there are more gold medals to come."

Lord Sebastian Coe, gold medallist in the 1500m at the 1980 and 1984 Olympics also praised Lewis.

He said: "It was a stunning performance. Denise fully deserves the gold medal.

"She is a very brave woman and she was absolutely in great pain before the last event but went out there and competed.

"Her victory will give the British team the much needed kick-start they need in the days ahead and is a great achievement for British sport and UK Athletics."