Your thoughts on Lewis' heroic victory

Denise Lewis has been crowned Olympic Champion. A heroic performance, typifying the Olympic spirit, Lewis had to compete with injury, but her grit and determination paved the way to the gold medal. Will this victory inspire the British team to further success?

Lewis battled through the competition with a niggling foot injury, but the will to win Olympic gold overshadowed her pain.

It was a truly gutsy performance which will undoubtedly boost team morale.

Share your thoughts on this impressive gold medal winning performance.

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I was there when Denise Lewis won her gold medal and she was wonderful to all the Brits there. She went round everyone and had to be dragged off to get her medal by the staff! You were magnificent Denise and we love you.
Oliver Brown, Australia

It's about time a British athlete gritted their teeth and dug in deep to fight for a victory instead of the usual capitulation when things get a bit tough. God bless you Denise!!!
Gary Dagger, Uk

It is a glowing example to woman's athletics that if you have the will, the skill and the determination to succeed, then you will. Denise not only did all that, but with a smile on her face as well. Did anyone else notice how she cheered when Steve Backley got his silver medal? A real team player, a really lovely personality and an ambassador. Well done!
Warren Pilkington, Manchester, UK

Denise Lewis is the epitome of a gracious athlete

  Nancy Rampling, England

Denise Lewis is the epitome of a gracious athlete. Determined, modest, erudite, a superb attitude and supremely elegant. She has to be the finest role model not only for a sporting hero but also for life in general. She embodies the spirit of sportsmanship, a true personality, all this and gorgeous too. You'll have my vote, Denise, for Sports Personality of the Year.
Nancy Rampling, England

I think Sports Personality of the Year is going to be very interesting this year..Denise..Steve...Denise..Steve...ummm...dead heat?
Michael Devlin, Scotland

Denise Lewis, Olympic champion says it all. Shear guts and determination to become one of the world's finest athletes. She is an inspiration to many others. A role model for years to come. Well Done.
Nikki, Great Britain

That competition was the most exciting Olympic competition I have ever seen

  Kevin Lancaster, UK

That competition was the most exciting Olympic competition I have ever seen. An example of true grit and determination. She is a shining example to her country and this should be recognised by our government to help get some money into the sport.
Kevin Lancaster, UK

It's so unfair: Denise is a brilliant athelete; she is articulate; and she's beautiful too! God should have spread such good fortune around a bit more....Just kidding, Denise - you deserve it all.
Rhianna, Leicester, UK

I am a 13-year-old schoolboy who was really inspired by Denise's courageous decision to go on and race the 800m despite her injurie.
Norman McKenzie, scotland

I just wanted to congratulate Denise. Like many others I have been impressed by her athleticism and her strength of character. It took a lot of guts to complete the competition. I couldn't have been more pleased at her success if I actually knew her. She is a fine athlete and a wonderful ambassador for British sports, and in particular for British sportswomen.
Gordeen Toby, England

Gold for the Heptathlon, platinum for personality in the interviews that followed

  Dave C, England

Watching Denise win was one of the most inspirational pieces of television I have ever seen. She overcame 3 injuries to become olympic champion, she deserves an OBE.
Andy Johnston, UK

I am so pleased for Denise. She ran her heart out in the 800m discipline. As an athlete myself she has inspired me to train harder and really make a go of it.
Victoria, England

Gold for the Heptathlon, platinum for personality in the interviews that followed. Well done.
Dave C, England

A truly magnificent performance by Denise. It will inspire the next generation of male and female athletes to match her greatness.
Kehinde Akinbiyi, UK

I know Denise has taken inspiration from Mary Peters, and hope that her winning performance will encourage as many young athletes as Mary's has done here in Belfast.
Suzanne, N Ireland

A supreme effort especially as I understand she was injured going into both the javelin and the 800 metres

  Duncan Pennington, England

I was exceptionally proud for Denise and Great Britain, she showed courage and determination and battled through injury to claim the greatest prize in World athletics.
Gillian Howell, Wales,UK

I was in the stand right behind the hurdles and the high jump on Saturday and cheered her on at the top of my lungs when she was going for 1.81. Good job I wasn't there on day two! We're all proud of you Denise, you're a great sportswoman, a credit to the nation and, I might add, absolutely georgeous!
Martin Devlin, Brit in Oz

Well done Denise! You've lifted the hearts of the whole nation - wherever we are. I wish you every success in the future and hope to see you in Athens in four years time.
Duncan Barr, Japan

As I arrived at work this morning I was ecstatic to hear of Denise's success. A supreme effort especially as I understand she was injured going into both the javelin and the 800 metres. I know it sounds strange to say I had no idea that this had happened considering I am living in the Olympic city, but believe it or not there wasno mention that the heptathlon has been in progress for the past two days. No matter, all the Poms in the office here have great big grins on our faces. Fantastic effort Denise!
Duncan Pennington, England, currently in Sydney

Denise you are fantastic! I have followed your performances since 1994, seeing you win bronze and silver at previous Olympics and world champs, and now at last the gold I am sure you have always wanted. You are an inspiration.
Debbie Pledge, A Brit in Australia

Denise was the perfect picture of concentration, grace and athleticism as well as being so down to earth having won gold in one of the toughest events of the Games

  Chris Tester, UK

Wow! Denise was the perfect picture of concentration, grace and athleticism as well as being so down to earth having won gold in one of the toughest events of the Games. The composure that she demonstrated over two days at centre stage, and particularly after a pretty disasterous high jump was simply awesome. One benefit of her victory will undoubtedly be the appearance of a genuinely beautiful woman of colour on the front of every mainstream fashion/beauty/men's and women's magazine that can afford her! I'm sure I'm not alone in wishing her every success for the future.
Chris Tester, UK

Denise did brilliantly and capped off a great weekend for British Olympians!
Andrew McIntyre, UK

Denise, you truly deserved to win the gold. Not only were you mentally and physically strong enough to win, you also showed your sweet, gracious nature, thanking your supporters and congratulating those who were up on the rostrum with you. I hope to see you in the same place at Athens...Well done!
Katie, UK

Fantastic, I was on the edge of my seat. I have a sore throat this morning. What an inspiration and role model for up and coming young people involved in athlethics.
David Daly, UK

To perform and win when you are on top form - that's good. To perform and win when far from your best - that's a champion. Well done.
Mark Feldman, Chelmsford, UK

Wonderful to see Denise win gold for Britain, she is an awesome athlete and great ambassador for Great Britain

  Craig Nicholson, New Zealand

My heart is bursting with pride on a job well done. Denise, enjoy the moment and be proud of yourself. You have lifted the spirits of anyone who was ever afraid to try when faced with adversity. I got my 9 year old daughter to watch you and hopefully she will be inspired too as she adores sports.
Hazel Nathaniel-James, London, England

As an ex-pat Brit, it was wonderful to see Denise win gold for Britain, she is an awesome athlete and great ambassador for Great Britain.
Craig Nicholson, New Zealand

Thoroughly deserved. She is like a breath of fresh air in athletics. Best result since Daley Thompson's decathlon. What a super girl.
Terry Galley, England

Many congratulations Denise on a well deserved, hard fought victory. It was very tense at some points but the way you came through the contest, despite your injury, goes to show what a top class athlete you are.
Michelle, UK

I am probably the only non-British here, but I have to say that I admire Denise. She is a brilliant athlete, pretty, seems very nice and responsive to the supporters. I am happy that she did it despite those injuries, and I wish her all the best in her future life. Denise, you are great! Also, I wish the British Olympic team a lot more gold medals!
Alex, Austria

A great inspiration to all the team and for those of us at home

  Ian Vickery, UK

What character to hold on - and win- when she had been hurting for several days. She has the committment that sadly seems to be lacking from other British competitors. I don't want to point fingers, but some have let it slip right at the last, not dug even deeper, and lost. Perhaps we could all learn something from Denise Lewis' strength of character. Well done!
Chris, Sweden

To be win an event comprising so many different disciplines is truly amazing. Congratulations Denise, we're so proud of you.
Lawrie Jones, Wales

I just want to congratualate Denise. Despite being in all that pain, she still fought to win gold. I think that this shows that sports personalities are not what the press make out to be, and it shows that if you put your mind to it, you will achieve what you want! Well done Denise.
Catherine Pitt, UK

Superb! This was a performance of spirit and determination. A great inspiration to all the team and for those of us at home. Well done.
Ian Vickery, UK

Well done Denise! You are a true champion. It makes me so proud to be British. I use to train at Birchfield Harriers years ago, and I understand the hard work and determination that has gone into achieving your goals.
Gloria Bowen, Canada

Fantastic! Can we appoint her coach of the swiming team?

  Mark Kidger, Tenerife/U.K

About three years ago my wife and I were at the AAA Indoor Championships when someone sat in front of us and began videoing Denise Lewis¿ High Jump. At the end of the competition she came and sat with what turned out to be her coach. Suffice it to say he was not impressed with her performance and told her so. At that stage the championships did not have as large a crowd as this year but her presence soon attracted a group of kids anxious for her autograph. Whilst still being lectured for her poor performance, she turned to the kids and asked them to wait. Later she stopped her coach, signed autographs with a kind smiling approach and went back to being slated for her poor performance. We knew then that not only did we have a good athlete in Denise Lewis but also an excellent ambassador for the sport who would get the ultimate accolade that she has now so graciously achieved.
John Standerline, UK

Denise, you kept us on the edge of our seat all night but you did it. You're bright, energitic, articulate and a real role model for all young athletes. Congratulations! You've battled through injury, a disappointing performance in the High Jump. by your standards, and some of the toughtest foes in Barber, Prokopova and Sasanazvich. I have supported you since the Commonwealth Games in Victoria in 1994 and you are one of the very few athletes that has always matched by expectations in the major events. My sincerest congratulations.
Seamus Carey, Republic of Ireland

She has got guts. She was injured, she was down in eighth place and apparently right out of contention. She could have withdrawn and most of the superstars would have done with less reason, but she fought on. Fantastic! Can we appoint her coach of the swiming team (and to a few of our prima donna male athletes)?
Mark Kidger, Tenerife/U.K

Denise Lewis and Steve Redgrave have lit up the Olympics

  Aziz Hussain, England

The mark of a true Olympian is overcoming personal adversity and personal pain to excel. Denise went on in spite of injury and exhaustion and achieved a truly momentous victory. Congratulations to her and her family!
Christian J. DeFeo, The Netherlands

An excellent and well-deserved win for Denise Lewis; a true champion - Wolverhampton's champion!
Mike Round, UK

Congratulations Denise on such a wonderful aceivement. You have done the nation proud, you deserve to be champion with all that hard effort that you have put in over not only the past two days, but the months before in your preparations for this championship. Well done Denise Lewis, Olympic Champion!
Martin Cornish, Scotland

A nicer, more wonderful person could not have won this gold. Many congratulations Denise on a most magnificent achievement.
Tim Hook, UK

Denise Lewis and Steve Redgrave have lit up the Olympics, true champions shining like gold in the face of adversity.
Aziz Hussain, England

It was nerve wracking waiting to hear the result after the 800m. I felt so emotional and so pleased for Denise who seems a super person!
Linda Dempsey, UK

I was so proud to be British when I saw Denise collect her medal. I even stood for the Anthem. Well done.
Chris Lee, England

It is really fantastic to see Denise win the gold medal

  Jamil Talib, UK

Fantastic result, great to see you reach the dream that you have clearly given so much towards. Olympic Champion - I bet two words have near sounded so good!
Simon Mellor, UK

Wonderful performance, the whole country is proud. Will run Steve Redgrave close as the performance of the games.
Roger Warner, UK

It is really fantastic to see Denise win the gold medal. I have been following her progress for a long time, and this truly brings a happy smile into my face. Considering the injuries that she was carrying, and the way she battled all along, her achievement is remarkable. Well done.
Jamil Talib, London, UK

Well done on your hard, and well earned olympic gold medal.
Andrew Campbell, Scotland