Greg's golden leap: Rutherford produces on the biggest stage to win the long jump
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Rutherford's winning leap of 8.31 metres came at precisely the same time as Jessica Ennis was being introduced to a rapturous crowd of 80,000 in the Olympic Stadium before her final event, the 800m.
Rutherford, who headed the world rankings in 2012, took the lead in the second round with a jump of 8.21m and was never overtaken, the 25-year-old from Milton Keynes then jumping 8.31m in the fourth round to extend his lead.
Flying high: Greg Rutherford celebrates with the Union flag after winning gold
He's done it! Greg Rutherford celebrates his Olympic gold medal
Australia's Mitchell Watt (8.16m) took silver and American Will Claye (8.12m) bronze, while Rutherford's British team-mate Chris Tomlinson (8.07m) had to settle for sixth.
Rutherford was still finding it hard to believe he had achieved his life's ambition.
'I don't think I'll ever get bored of hearing that," he said, when reminded he is now an Olympic champion.
Leap of faith: Greg Rutherford won gold in the long jump
'That is the most amazing feeling in the world.'
Giving a highly emotional interview, Rutherford said: "I have the most amazing parents you could possibly have, a beautiful girlfriend, just everything.
'I can't tell you how much everyone has worked so hard for me, as well as myself.
'It's been a long process.
Golden moment: Rutherford was spurred on by the home crowd
'I thought I was going to jump further than that but I don't care - I'm Olympic champion."
Speaking on BBC1, he added: "What a night for British athletics. Three gold medals out of a possible three really.
'The crowd were absolutely incredible.
Making his mark: Greg Rutherford set the standard with his first jump of 8.21m
'I don't think it's sunk in properly. This is what I've dreamt of my entire life.
'I knew I was going to be a sportsman. When I picked athletics I knew I wanted to be an Olympic champion.
'And I get to do it in London... I might wake up in a minute.'
GREG RUTHERFORD FACTFILE
1986: Born November 17 in Milton Keynes.
2005: July - Wins AAA Championships for the first time, aged 18.
Wins gold at the European Junior Champions with 8.14 metres.
Wins gold at the European Junior Champions with 8.14 metres.
2006: August - Wins silver at the European Championships in Gothenburg with 8.13m.
2007: August - Having missed almost all of the season through injury, manages just 21st in qualifying at the World Championships in Osaka with a jump of 7.77m.
2008: August - Finishes a disappointing 10th in the Olympic final in Beijing with 7.84m, having jumped 8.16m to be the third best qualifier.
2009: March - Finishes sixth at the European Indoor Championships in Turin.
August - Breaks the then British record with a jump of 8.30m in qualifying at the World Championships in Berlin, breaking Chris Tomlinson's mark by one centimetre. Goes on to finish fifth in the final.
August - Breaks the then British record with a jump of 8.30m in qualifying at the World Championships in Berlin, breaking Chris Tomlinson's mark by one centimetre. Goes on to finish fifth in the final.
2010: March - Fails to qualify for the final at the World Indoor Championships in Doha.
July - Ruled out of the European Championships with a foot injury.
October - Wins a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi with 8.22m.
July - Ruled out of the European Championships with a foot injury.
October - Wins a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi with 8.22m.
2011: September - Suffers a hamstring injury during the qualifying round at the World Championships in Daegu and misses out on a place in the final.
2012: May - Equals the British record, matching Tomlinson's 8.35m, in Chula Vista, California. Follows it up by jumping 8.32m to win the Rome Diamond League meeting later that month.
June - Wins Olympic trials.
August 4 - Claims the Olympic gold medal with a winning leap of 8.31m.
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