Shining light /Doyle strikes silver
● Scotland’s most decorated athlete adds to Delhi and Glasgow medals
Eilidh Doyle stands proudly on the podium after finishing second in the 400-metre hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Australia yesterday, writes Mark Woods.
It was the 31-year-old’s third silver medal in successive Games, repeating her successes at Delhi in 2010 and Glasgow in 2014. Doyle, who carried the flag for Team Scotland at the opening ceremony, finished 0.47 seconds behind the favourite to win the event, Jamaica’s Janieve Russell, and will aim for gold tomorrow when she competes in the women’s 4x400m relay.
Proud of her performance against top-class opposition, she said: “It’s probably the strongest field I’ve ever run against at a Commonwealth Games.
“So I knew this would be the toughest shot at winning a medal.
“I was just so chuffed to get one. I know it’s a silver but I’m so proud of it. It means so much to me.”
Doyle possesses medals of every colour, from every significant event, and – now – from every continent of the world. A testament to the formidable career of Scotland’s most garlanded athlete who yesterday claimed Commonwealth silver in the 400 metres hurdles for the third consecutive Games.
If Delhi 2010 was an announcement of her potential, and Glasgow 2014 a validation of her talent, this was the Olympic medalist in her full-flowing pomp, technically adroit but with speed to burn as she accelerated down the home straight of the stadium where, eight days earlier, she had scampered along without a care in the world to carry Scotland’s flag in the opening ceremony.
This time, the stakes were higher and the pressure elevated but as Jamaica’s Janieve Russell – the presumed favourite – strode impresing sively clear to take victory in 54.33 seconds, Doyle engaged in a tripartite scrap for second place which was only resolved in the closing strides when South African rival Wenda Nel was bumped into bronze.
The quality of the track and field competition has been patchy in places here but she was among fine company and that made it all the more satisfying. The 31-year-old said: “People always think that the Commonwealth Games are a little bit easier than other championships. But, when you see the calibre of athletes out there, it’s a strong event.
“It’s probably the strongest field I’ve ever raced against at a Commonwealth Games. So I knew this would be the toughest shot at winning a medal. I was just so chuffed to get one. I know it’s a silver but I’m so proud of it. It means so much to me.”
And to her husband Brian, who has been more pivotal then ever in the build-up to Gold Coast as both confidant and coach. The pair embraced following her lap of honour. Tears flowed. Spoils shared. “I’m just happy she’s got a medal,” he declared. “She want- ed it so badly.”
Doyle will have the 4x400 relay to come tomorrow, one further shot at that elusive gold. She has enjoyed these Games, more so now. Seeing others come and go from the Village with souvenirs of success, it fortifies the urge to acquire your own, she confirmed. “I’ve been watching a lot of it. I’ve been supporteilidh everyone else. I just wanted to do my bit – and I’m glad to have done that.”
Jakewightmanfelljustshort in the 800 metres final, a hellish 0.22 seconds away from the podium amid what turned out to be a mass stampede to the line with the Scot leavhis ing challenge afr action too late. “Fourth is just horrible,” the 23-year-old affirmed.
Wycliffe Kinyamal of Kenya charged fastest but the 22-year-old Englishman Kyle Langford produced a ferocious sprint to silver of which the onlooking Usain Bolt would have been proud. Wightman, it seemed, would overhaul Luke Mathews for third but the Australian responded, just enough.
“I thought I ran alright,” said Wightman, who was set to return to action in Friday morning’s 1500m heats. “I just didn’t expect that to happen at the end. It’s pretty gutting.”
If he was disappointed, Lynsey Sharp appeared wholly bereft, ripping off her number from her shorts in disgust after exiting the 800 metres in the first round. A silver medalist in Glasgow four years ago, the former European champion toiled to fourth place in her heat in 2:01.33, a respectable time normally but not quick enough during an absurdly
speedy set of openers. “It just wasn’t good enough,” admitted Sharp who will likely return to run in Saturday’s 4x400 relay final. “Some days you just don’t have enough to get it done and this was one of those days. Competition in the 800 is fierce and I faced many great competitors today. I can’t expect to advance when not firing on all cylinders.”
England’s underwhelming performance improved a little with Dina Ashersmith, in the women’s 200 metres, and Shara Proctor, in the long jump, claiming bronze.
However, there was drama, on the track and behind the scenes, which lasted into the night when Zharnel Hughes was stripped of victory in the men’s 200m for impeding Trinidad’s Jereem Richards as the duo jostled in adjoining lanes over the closing strides. Appeal, then counter-appeal followed, but to no avail.
Canada’s Aaron Brown was promoted to silver and Leon Reid earned bronze to give Northern Ireland its first athletics medal at the Games for 28 years.