Skip Eve Muirhead could not hold back the tears after she led the women’s curling team to a 10-3 thrashing of Japan.
In her fourth Games, Muirhead, 31, and her team of VickyWright, 28, Jennifer Dodds, 30, Hailey Duff, 25, and reserve Mili Smith, 23, dominated yesterday’s final from the beginning.
Muirhead, who won bronze at the 2014 Games in Sochi, said: “It’s a dream come true for myself and the rest of the girlsÂ…It is something we’ll never forget and we’re going to enjoy the next few hours.”
She added: “It is a moment I have wanted for so many years. The two [Olympic] semi-finals I lost were hard, but I bounced back, and it is such a special moment.”
Duff’s father John Duff, said: “I don’t think I could have written the script to be honest, I’m relieved.”
In a message to the team, the Queen said: “I know that your local communities and people throughout the United Kingdom will join me in sending our good wishes to you, your coaches and the friends and family who have supported you.”
The win emulates the gold secured by Rhona Howie’s team in Salt Lake City 20 years ago. Howie, who was in Beijing to witness the latest triumph, said: “I was completely confident they would get the gold medal.”