Games round-up

FORMER world champion hurdler Colin Jackson believes the Commonwealth Games and Lionesses’ Euros victory have made 2022 a “hugely important” year in sport, particularly for inspiring young people.

He praised the UK’s top sports stars and hopes children will be encouraged to acquire a “having-a-go attitude”.

“As top athletes, when we compete we never want people to to marvel and think ‘I can’t do it’,” the 55-year-old said. “What you want them to do is marvel and say, ‘Oh, I’ll have a go.’

“And that ‘having a go’ attitude I think (children) will take through the whole of their life – they will taste a little bit of success and think, ‘I can do this.’”

Scotland’s Jake Wightman admits his world title win has finally sunk in at the Commonwealth Games.

The 28-year-old, who won shock 1500m gold at the World Championships in Eugene last month, eased into tomorrow’s final.

It was the first time he has been announced – by stadium commentator, dad and coach Geoff – as the world champion since July’s victory in Oregon.

He said: “It was special, it was a confidence boost if you get announced as that.

“That’s the most it’s sunk in because that is what I was waiting for, to be announced as world champion, and be like

‘yeah I’ve actually done that’.”

Geraint Thomas suffered an all too familiar story as an early crash cost him his chance of Commonwealth gold in the men’s time trial.

Two minutes into his ride the back wheel got away from the Welshman on a left-hander, and he clipped a barrier.

Thomas remounted but was around 30 seconds down on eventual winner Rohan Dennis at every time check and finished two seconds behind England’s Fred Wright who collected silver.

Englishman Jack Laugher successfully defended his one-metre springboard title to make it three gold medals in as many Commonwealth Games.