Kerr goes from world record to Commonwealth gold
World-record holder Josh Kerr ensured the Athletics and Para Athletics programme at Glasgow 2026 finished on a high with gold in the Men’s Mile at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday.
Kerr was the favourite for the event, making its first appearance at a Commonwealth Games since Kingston 1966 as a tribute to Roger Bannister's 'Miracle Mile' run at the 1954 Vancouver Games.
The 28-year-old, who set a world record over the distance last month at the London Diamond League meeting, gave the packed crowd at EDF Scotstoun Stadium some anxious moments when he seemed to be boxed in amid bumping and barging, before coming through on the outside into third place at the bell.
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Once he swept past Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot and Australia's Cameron Myers on the back straight of the final lap, there was only going to be one winner. Myers finished second and the Kenyan third.
Australia won golds in the final two events to ensure they finished top of the Athletics medal table with 34 medals – 12 gold and 11 each of silver and bronze.
Abbey Caldwell led a clean sweep in the Women’s Mile ahead of teammates Jessica Hull and Claudia Hollingsworth, while Kurtis Marschall set a new Games record to take his third consecutive Men’s Pole Vault title.
Jamaica's Dejanea Oakley joined Woods and Rose Davies (AUS) as a double gold medallist, following up her Women's 400m win by anchoring her nation's victorious Mixed 4x400m Relay team.
On the African front, there were plenty of medals on the final day of athletics, with Nigeria's Samuel Ogazi and SA's Zakithi Nene taking gold and bronze in the men's 400m final.
AFRICAN ATHLETICS MEDALS ON SATURDAY:
Men's Shot Put F57 Final
Bronze: Cedric Idriss LEKEZO AZAMDZI, Cameroon
Men's 400m final
Gold: Samuel OGAZI, Nigeria
Brone: Zakithi NENE, South Africa
Women's 400m Final
Bronze: Ella ONOJUVWEVWO, Nigeria
Men's Pole Vault Final
Silver: Kyle RADEMEYER, South Africa
Women's Long Jump Final
Silver: Ruth USORO, Nigeria
Women's Javelin Throw Final
Bronze: Irene JEPKEMBOI, Kenya
Men's 5000m Final
Gold: Mathew Kipchumba KIPSANG, Kenya
Men's 4 x 100m Relay Final
Bronze: Nigeria
Men's 800m Final
Bronze: Wyclife KINYAMAL, Kenya
Men's One Mile Final
Bronze: Timothy CHERUIYOT, Kenya
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