For weeks O'Rourke's performances hinted that she was capable of doing well in the championships but no one dared predict that she was capable of winning a medal never mind gold. But O'Rourke ran like a woman inspired and, after winning her semi-final in 7.87 seconds, came out for the final and again performed above and beyond what anyone could have predicted.

In winning O'Rourke become the first Irish woman to win a sprint title in a major championship.

O'Rourke won the world title after a titanic battle against Glory Alozie of Spain and while those in the arena could not possibly know who had won the TV cameras focused on the Irish star.

Then came a nail biting wait before it was confirmed that O'Rourke had struck gold in truly magnificent style with Alozie taking the silver in 7.86 and the bronze going to Susanna Kallur of Sweden in 7.87 with all eight finalists running under 8 seconds in a high-quality race.

"I'm just absolutely flabbergasted and delighted beyond words, " said O'Rourke. "I have been feeling good for the last number of weeks and since I've come here I've also been able to concentrate on what I was here to do.

"I knew that it was important to get a good start and felt good going to the first hurdle and after that it was a question of keeping my form and concentrating all the way.

I'm just absolutely delighted because it's always a dream of every athlete to win a gold medal in a championship like this."

James Nolan had to settle for sixth place in the 1,500m final with gold going to Ivan Heshko of the Ukraine. David McCarthy was eliminated in the semi-final of the 400 metres, finishing sixth and last in 47.11.

Meanwhile, Maria McCambridge and Roisin McGettigan failed to figure in the business end of the women's 3,000 metres final which was won brilliantly by the 22-yearold Ethiopian Meseret Defar.