China's Han and Sui win emotional Olympic gold

China's Han Cong and Sui Wenjing won Beijing Olympic gold in pairs figure skating on Saturday and broke yet another world record, to the delight of a screaming home crowd.

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Spinning around the rink to "Bridge Over Troubled Water", they scored 239.88 in total to beat Russia's Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov by a whisker -- 0.63 points.

Han and Sui's score was also just clear of the previous world record of 239.82 -- which had been held by the bronze medallists, Russia's Anastasia Mishina and Aleksandr Galliamov.

It is the third time the Chinese pair have broken a world record this Games, soaring through their mission to bring home their first Olympic title.

The two-time former world champions did it with style, landing a rare quadruple twist -- an overhead throw which no other competitors attempted -- to seal victory on home ice.

"People had doubts about us because our heights are relatively similar," Sui said of her partnership with Han. They won silver four years ago.

"We overcame so many difficulties and injures. When people say something is a dead end, don’t be afraid -– blaze your own path. Never stop believing in yourself."

Dressed in blue and silver and with pearls in her hair, Sui made an uncharacteristic mistake early on but it was not enough to detract from the rest of their powerful, cleanly-executed programme.

Finishing the song in Han's arms, Sui began to cry.

After a long hug -- the two have been skating together since they were teenagers -- they skated off the ice and waited to learn if they had done enough.

They had -- and the Capital Indoor Stadium, as packed as it has been throughout this competition, erupted in cheers and billowing Chinese flags.

"First, I think this is an unforgettable night," said Han.

"We realised our dreams in our homeland. We have done our best, we had an amazing performance."

Such was the confidence in Sui and Han's ability to win in Beijing that the pairs event had been made the final of the four figure skating disciplines for the first time since 1956.

Their gold was China's ninth of the Games, meaning the hosts have moved up the medal table ahead of the United States.

Tarasova and Morozov gave them a good run for their money with their graceful skate, with Morozov falling to his knees, overcome with emotion, as the music ended.

Mishina and Galliamov, the reigning world and European champions, were not far behind either.

In grey and silver, they flitted across the ice like shadows to "The Snowstorm", scoring a total of 237.71.

"The first- and second-place finishers, their performances were truly fantastic," said Galliamov.

"These are worthy rivals and we are very grateful that we can compete with these legendary athletes."