DELIGHTED as well as devastated were Steve Dawes emotions on his excellent 10,000m silver medal in the Wiklof Holding Arena last evening.

The Sarnian’s first response was genuine and thoroughly deserved, the second was his joke reaction to the fact that the one man to finish ahead of him had turned up.

Janne Holmen came into these Games as an Olympian and here in Mariehamn, representing his home island for the first time, he shattered Kim Godfretson’s long-standing Games record by 14 seconds to a terrific ovation from the large crowd who turned out especially on a glorious evening to watch this amazing procession.

He was quite simply in a totally different league to the rest of the field.

When he crossed the line in 30min. 3.62sec., the Alander had lapped all the other runners at least twice bar Dawes (pictured), who put in an immensely strong performance that at many other Games would have arguably given him gold.

‘I am really pleased. I have only had bronze medals before so this feels like I have made a step up.’

But did it feel like gold of the race the others were running to Holmen?

‘It has to. The only person who would have a chance against him at this level is Lee Merrien,’ Dawes said.

‘I am devastated he turned up,’ he added with a huge laugh.