Live Olympics coverage | Australians face up to losing to Britain

Christine Ohuruogu stormed down the home straight in the 400 metres to crown a glorious day for Britain at the Beijing Games after Chris Hoy, the Scottish cyclist, became the first Briton in a century to clinch three golds at a single Olympics.

Ohuruogu's win gave Britain its 16th gold of the Games, already well beyond the target set by the country's Olympic bosses for the entire two weeks of competition. It is Britain's best showing since the London Games of 1908.

Hoy, 32, won his third Beijing gold by beating his 20-year-old British team-mate Jason Kenny 2-0 in the final of the men's individual cycling sprint, reaching speeds in excess of 70kph as the two riders threw themselves into a high-octane battle.

Hoy's achievement followed that of fellow cyclist Victoria Pendleton, 27, who won the three-legged women's individual sprint shortly beforehand, and Paul Goodison, who won Britain's third sailing gold in the Laser class. Team GB also picked up a surprise silver medal in the men’s high jump with Germaine Mason.

But Ohuruogu's gold was the unexpected British success of the day, completing one of the most sensational comebacks in sporting history.

The 24-year old from Stratford, East London, was allowed to compete in Beijing only after a British Olympic Association rule banning athletes who have failed to meet strict drug-related guidelines was overturned in the High Court.

Ohuruogu missed three out-of-competition tests and incurred an automatic lifetime ban from the Games, and even when the ruling was rescinded many commentators criticised her attendance.

Today she has had the last word — and then some. After allowing Sanya Richards, of the US, to set the early pace, she kicked spectacularly at the final turn and edged past her rival in the final few metres, coming home in 49.62 seconds. Richards, the favourite, had earlier criticised Ohuruogu's preparations for Beijing.

Close to tears, Ohuruogu said from trackside at the Bird's Nest stadium: "As I crossed the line I was thinking 'Oh my gosh, I think I've won.' I thought it was just a dream and now it's become a reality."

Speaking after clinching his gold, Hoy admitted that Britain had exceeded all expectations. "It’s the most unbelievable feeling. You cross the line and all the pressure and expectation evaporates and it’s like nothing else you’ve ever felt," he said.

Pendleton's victory was particularly significant as it was clinched in a final against an Australian, Anna Meares. Australia is 4th in the medals table, and the result all-but ended the sport-mad country's chances of catching Britain.