Paula Radcliffe's bid for glory in the 10,000m topped the BBC TV viewing figures at the Athens Olympics.
The British distance runner was viewed by 12.8m people - over a million more than watched Saturday's athletics climax, the men's 4x400m relay.
Kelly Holmes' historic achievements on the track also saw multi-million audiences tuning in during the Games.
Some 8.8m watched her successful attempt to win gold in the 800m, while 10m viewed her in the 1500m.
BBC Sport also achieved record audiences for its interactive TV and internet services.
BBC director of sport Peter Salmon said: "Though Kelly and Paula have dominated the headlines, our teams, and the audiences at home have been thrilled by our, until now, lesser known heroes in badminton, rowing, boxing, cycling and sailing too.
MOST WATCHED OLYMPIC MOMENTS IN ATHENS
"The huge breadth and diversity of Athens has been reflected in 1,200 hours of dramatic coverage from BBC Sport.
"This has been one of the most thrilling and successful broadcast Olympics of all time on the BBC.
"That most ancient of events - an Olympic Games - has provided the ultimate springboard for the most advanced technological coverage in the world on broadband online and through interactive television, which has set new viewing records with as many as 10 million users."
Away from the athletics, Britain's silver medallist Amir Khan stole the public attention - 7.4m people watching him in his boxing semi-final.
And another 5.1m watched Matthew Pinsent win his fourth Olympic gold, at the Schinias rowing centre.