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London, Aug 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti): Anna Meares of Australia consigned defending champion Victoria Pendleton to defeat in a controversial Olympic cycling sprint final Tuesday.
Pendleton was relegated after winning the first race of the best-of-three series for veering out of her sprint lane.
In the second, Meares timed her final burst to the line to perfection to round off a 2-0 win and the gold medal.
It was revenge for Meares after Pendleton pipped her to gold in the Beijing final.
"My coach said to me, 'one race at a time and you nail it and you execute it to perfection,' and I think I did that," Meares said.
"It's been such a difficult challenge and to be able to win the Olympic title for me, it's so special."
For Pendleton, 31, it was a second lane violation of the Games after being relegated in the women's team sprint Thursday alongside partner Jess Varnish for an illegal changeover.
"I am just so relieved right now. I am just so overwhelmed with emotion," Pendleton said. "I would have loved to have won in my final race. At the same time, I am just so glad I am done and I can move on."
On her double relegation that tainted her last Games, Pendleton vented frustration.
"I was really annoyed because I was sure that she touched me and it caused me to move up. I cannot believe twice in one competition that I have been relegated, disqualified, it's unheard of."
Pendleton fought off a determined charge from China's Shuang Guo to win the women's keirin event the next day.
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