Liu Xiang won the men's 110m hurdles in a world-record-tying time and Xing Huina followed up with a women's 10,000m title, making it a perfect day for the emerging world sporting power.
The 21-year-old Liu stormed home first in the men's 110m hurdles before a capacity crowd of 70,000, clocking a stunning 12.91 seconds to equal the world record set by Britain's Collin Jackson in 1993.
Terrence Trammell of the United States, silver medalist at boththe Sydney Olympics and last year's world championships, won the silver in 13.18, with defending champion Anier Garcia of Cuba taking the bronze in 13.20.
Liu's time could be regarded as better than that of Jackson as the wind was 0.3 in the Olympic final to the 0.5 when Jackson set it in the 1993 world championships.
"I never expected that I could run inside 13 seconds," Liu said.
"I am very, very excited," he added, before breaking into tears.
Trammell, who once again had to be content with second place, said: "He (Liu) is just consistent. Consistency is the key to hurdling."
It is China's first ever men's athletics gold in its Olympic history.
"Liu Xiang is a hero, a super hero. He is the pride of China," said Luo Chaoyi, president of the Chinese Athletics Administration.
"My victory has proved that Asians can run fast too," said Liu Xiang.
"This is a miracle, but I believe there will be a lot more miracles taking place in China," he added.
Exactly 47 minutes later, unheralded Chinese Xing Huina stunned the Ethiopians to win the women's 10,000m.
Xing kicked away with 100 meters to go to clock 30 minutes 24.36 seconds.
(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2004)
