TWO doubles in one unforgettable night. Three quarters of an hour after Kelly Holmes recorded a double not accomplished by a Briton for 84 years, Hicham El Guerrouj completed one not achieved by anybody for 80 years. El Guerrouj, having won the 1,500 metres four days earlier, added the 5,000 metres gold medal to his collection on Saturday evening. Both his races will be remembered as epic encounters.

Other than Emil Zatopek, the Czech who won the marathon at the 1952 Olympics in his debut at the distance, and Billy Mills, the American who triumphed in the 10,000 metres as a near-novice in 1964, it is hard to think of an athlete who has won an Olympic title with such little experience in the event. When El Guerrouj appeared for the final, it was only his seventh race over the distance.

“When I came to the stadium I was thinking of Paavo Nurmi,” El Guerrouj said. It was in 1924 that Nurmi, from Finland, became the first, and last until El Guerrouj, to win both titles at one Olympics. One piece of Nurmi history down, one to go. Nurmi went on to win the 10,000 metres four years later. Now El Guerrouj has his sights on 25 laps at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“Next year I will concentrate on the 5,000 metres and I think I will be able to run the 10,000 metres in Beijing,” El Guerrouj said. Aged 29, and as the Olympic and four-times world champion at 1,500 metres, it is time to direct his training towards the longer distance. “I have the 5,000 metres world record to beat,” he said. Not that he is calling time yet on the metric mile.

“Maybe next year I will defend my title,” El Guerrouj said, with reference to the World Championships in Helsinki. Having made his move 750 metres from home in the 1,500 metres here, El Guerrouj was patience itself in the 5,000 metres. Not until the home straight did he hit the front.

Kenenisa Bekele, the Ethiopian who had won the 10,000 metres, and Eliud Kipchoge, from Kenya, exchanged the lead several times. El Guerrouj tucked in just behind, not drawing his dagger until the last lap, which he covered in less than 53 seconds.

As El Guerrouj celebrated, Holmes was preparing to receive her medal and, recognising their common achievement, the Moroccan ran over to congratulate the Briton. Both were at their third Olympics, neither had won gold before and now both had two. When the IAAF comes to announce its male and female world athletes of the year, these will be winners or there is something wrong with the system.

An honourable mention must go to Yuriy Borzakovsky, Russia’s winner of the men’s 800 metres. Long before Holmes adopted the practice, Borzakovsky was running from the rear and striking late. He did it to effect on Saturday night.

OTHER GREAT OLYMPIC DOUBLES

1. PAAVO NURMI

The Finn accomplished many wonderful feats but his performances in the 1924 Olympics were supreme. They included the double of the 1,500 and 5,000 metres, which he accomplished with only 55 minutes between events. Testing his powers to the full, he also finished first in the cross-country and in two team races.

2. JESSE OWENS

The superb American upset the Nazis at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin by winning gold medals in the 100 metres, the 200 metres, the 4 x 100 metres relay and the long jump.

3. FANNY BLANKERS-KOEN

The Dutch housewife illuminated the 1948 Games in London. She took the 100 metres, 200 metres and 80 metres hurdles, beating a different Briton to the gold medal in each event, as well as running in the successful relay squad.

4. EMIL ZATOPEK

The Czech achieved perhaps the greatest feat in long-distance running when he finished first in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres in Helsinki in 1952 and then took part in the marathon. After asking Jim Peters, the British world record-holder for the event, whether they were running at the right pace, Zatopek sped up and came home to a unique performance in the Games.

5. PETER SNELL

The New Zealander was the last man to accomplish the middle-distance double of the 800 metres and 1,500 metres, a feat he achieved in 1964. After surprisingly taking the 800 metres in 1960, he became favourite for both races in Tokyo.

JOHN GOODBODY