Pamela Jelimo (Front, L) of Kenya competes during the women's 800m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Pamela Jelimo won the gold. [Xinhua/Guo Dayue]

Pamela Jelimo of Kenya clinched the gold medal in the women's 800 meters at the Beijing Olympics on Monday night, clocking 1 minute and 54.87 seconds, also her personal best.

The previous African champion overtook her fellow Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei after completing half of the distance, and kept the lead until the end of the race, leaving the silver medalist Busienei who finished at 1:56.07 far behind.

Morocco's Hasna Benhassi, runner-up to the Athens Games, took the bronze with a time of 1:56.73.