British men collect world relay golds 28 years late
The US were stripped of the title won in Athens when Antonio Pettigrew confessed in 2008 to doping between 1997 and 2003. The US also lost their 2000 Olympic title.
A laborious process of investigation, appeal and reallocation followed, culminating in today's presentation by World Athletics President Seb Coe to Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton (who ran in the heats).
The former athletes were giving a rousing welcome by the 60,000 sellout crowd, who then stood for a very belated national anthem.
"We're proud to be able to give these athletes their moment in front of a home crowd. It's a chance to recognise not just their talent, but the values they stood for. This medal means even more because of how long they've waited for it," said Cherry Alexander, UK Athletics' strategic lead for major events.
Pettigrew was found dead at the age of 42 in 2010 in his locked car in the United States, with an autopsy report saying he died by suicide after an overdose.
Earlier today, the British government confirmed its support for bids to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, last held in London in 2017 in a regularly sold-out Olympic Stadium.
"Bringing the World Athletics Championships to the UK would be a moment of great national pride, building on our global reputation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase the very best talent," Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.
"Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would inspire the next generation to get involved and pursue their ambitions.
The UK will also bid for the 2029 World Para Athletics championships, with a plan to hold events outside London. - REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
6 minutes ago
- The Star
Cricket-Heated exchanges at Lord's were fun, says England's Brook
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - International Test Match Series - Third Test - England v India - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - July 13, 2025 England's Harry Brook fields Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra/File Photo (Reuters) -England batsman Harry Brook said the tension with Indian players during the third test at Lord's was fun and put the visitors under added pressure as England secured a dramatic 22-run victory and a 2-1 lead in the series. Tension flared between the teams during the match, with India captain Shubman Gill sarcastically clapping England batters over delays, and Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj roaring in the face of England opener Ben Duckett after taking his wicket. Brook said England decided to respond in kind after the visitors' heated verbal exchanges with Duckett and Zak Crawley when England faced a single over from Jasprit Bumrah at the end of the third day. "We had a little chat and we thought, we're a team so we may as well get together and give it back at them," Brook told reporters on Monday. "It put them under a little bit more pressure." "I've had a lot of compliments. Everybody said it was awesome to watch. It looked like it was 11 versus two out there while we were fielding. It was good fun... it was tiring but it made fielding a lot more enjoyable," he said. Brook, who scored a century in the second test after missing out on a ton by one run in the first, said the hardfought series was far from over, with the fourth match starting at Old Trafford on Wednesday. "India are such a good side, they can bounce back at any stage... every game we've played so far has gone into the last hour of the game, which you don't see very often," he said. "I've had a lot of people come up to me and say, this is a great series... and everybody said that the Lord's game was one of the best that they have ever watched." (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
New Straits Times
6 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Arteta backs Arsenal's handling of Partey departure
SINGAPORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Monday defended the club's handling of Thomas Partey's departure after the Ghana international midfielder was arrested on suspicion of rape and sexual assault. Arsenal did not offer the 32-year-old a new contract at the end of last season and days later he was charged by British police with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault between 2021 and 2022. Partey is due to appear before magistrates in London on August 5. In a statement released on July 4, the day Partey was arrested, Arsenal said: "The player's contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case." Arteta was asked during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Singapore whether the allegations against Partey were the deciding factor in him being released. The Spaniard said he was "100 per cent" convinced that Arsenal had followed the correct procedure, adding: "The club was very clear in its statement. There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that." Partey joined Arsenal for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in October 2020. He appeared 35 times in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals, and 12 times in the Champions League. - AFP
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Boxing-Former undisputed world champion Taylor forced to retire over eye issue
FILE PHOTO: Boxing - Josh Taylor & Jack Catterall Press Conference - Leeds, Britain - February 19, 2024 Josh Taylor during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith (Reuters) -Former undisputed light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor has retired from boxing on medical advice over a recurring eye issue that could risk him losing his eyesight, the 34-year-old said on Monday. Taylor, the only British male boxer to win all four belts in a single division, became the undisputed champion in the 140-pound weight class with a win over Jose Ramirez in 2021. Undefeated Taylor successfully defended his undisputed title against Jack Catterall the next year, his 19th professional win in a row, before losing three fights by decision, most recently against Ekbow Essuman in May. "This isn't an easy post for me to write, but on the advice of my doctors, it's sadly a necessary one," Taylor wrote on Instagram. "As has been publicised before, I've had a recurring issue with my eye that unfortunately means I now have to call time on my career or risk losing my eyesight." Taylor represented Britain at the 2012 Olympics and won gold at the next year's Commonwealth Games before turning professional in 2015. "I am just a kid from the Pans who scaled the very top of the sport but I could not have done it without those who have supported me through thick and thin," Taylor added. (Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
