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Opening ceremony of Tokyo Olympics (left) and British runner Ann Packer

It's fascinating what you unearth when searching for . Sorry, I'm already starting to sound like and I'm only eight days into this marathon countdown...

Anyway, take victory in the 800m at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics for example.

The British athlete had already finished second in her favoured 400m and planned a with fiance Robbie Brightwell before a last-minute change of heart, prompted by , saw Packer enter the half-mile race.

And in the final, which was only her eighth race over the distance, she used her sprinting speed to surge past the field in the last 150m and break the world record with a time of two minutes 1.1 seconds to become Britain's first female track champion.

The 22-year-old then announced her retirement and said she wanted to marry Robbie and become a .

Elsewhere at the Games, British duo and won the men's and women's long jump golds.

But spare a thought for - the only British athlete not to be awarded the for his achievement.

But where does the number 93 come into it?

Well, the , which, incidentally, were the first to be held in Asia, saw competitors from 93 countries in attendance.

And the Japanese fans had 16 gold medals to cheer - the most famous of which was won by wrestler who ended his career undefeated by winning his 186th consecutive match - he is the only Olympian to be remain unbeaten throughout his career.

What are your favourite stories attached to Olympic winners?

Peter Scrivener is a 麻豆社 Sport Journalist. Our should answer any questions you have.


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