Christine Ohuruogu has had to settle for silver in the women's 400m at the London Olympics.

Her main rival, Sanya Richards-Ross of the US, took gold but Ohurougu came from well down the field to take second place with a late charge.

The 28-year-old, who was raised less than a mile from the Olympic Park in Stratford, finished 0.02 seconds ahead of bronze in a time of 49.70 seconds.

It was only the third time in her career that she has broken through 50 seconds and is her best performance this season.

Ohuruogu, who won gold four years ago in Beijing, described competing in a Games on her own doorstep as a dream come true.

Despite missing out on gold, she went on a lap of honour after the race, and paid tribute to the crowd.

"I just wanted to go back and say thank you to all the people who've come up. They've really made these Games special.

"Everybody I've spoken to - non-British athletes - have all said what a great crowd we have and what a great atmosphere and it's really great that everybody, the whole country, has got behind the London 2012 Games.

"They've all helped to make it the Games it is. They did it. We're just here to perform, but it's the crowd who turn up to support us, even when it's raining and it's cold, they're all here.

"We can only say thank you for getting behind us. It means so much to us. The athletes were buzzing on the first day. We really couldn't believe it.

"It's so nice to have this in your own country, that people just love and appreciate what you do."