It's a brilliant result, fantastic.The press wrote us off, but we've done it. It's a brilliant result

Jamie Baulch

News of the dramatic turnaround soon reached the track, and Baulch was delighted as he took in the news.

"It's a brilliant result, fantastic. A lot of the boys, like Colin Jackson, couldn't make it, and the press wrote us off, but we've done it. It's a brilliant result," he said.

It was a depleted 4 x 400 metres team, with Iwan Thomas having pulled out and Mark Richardson's drug inquiry set to progress early next week. But the relative inexperience of the team meant little as Baulch brought the baton - and overall victory - home for Britain.

Malcolm in form

Earlier in the day, Christian Malcolm had done his bit for the GB team, winning the 200m with his fastest time of the season.

Malcolm: pushed all the way but held on to win

Newport-athlete Malcolm blasted out of the blocks and had a clear lead as he came off the bend.

The closing 50 metres is usually his strong point, but he seemed to tighten up in the home straight and was closed down by Candalero of Italy and Kenderis of Greece.

Malcolm just had enough to hold on for a win in 20.45, followed by Candalero then Kenderis who both recorded 20.48.

The coach told me to go out there and just hit it as hard as I can and that's what I tried to do

Christian Malcolm

Malcolm was delighted to have held on for victory:

"The coach told me to go out there and just hit it as hard as I can and that's what I tried to do."

He is now looking forward to next month's Olympic trials where he expects tough competition.

"There's a lot of people after that (200m) spot."