by Larry Eder
JAMES, ADAMS, DROUIN
GLASGOW (GBR, Jul 30): On a strangely scheduled Day 4 of athletics at the Commonwealth Games before 44 000 spectators World silver medallist Brianne Theisen Eaton (6597) was a clear heptathlon winner, over fellow Canadian Jessica Zelinka (6270) with England’s Jessica Taylor 3rd (5826 PB). Theisen Eaton had good long jump and 800m marks; 644 and 2:11.46. In the men’s 400, Kirani James achieved his goals; the gold and the games record 44.24. After running the 200m heats earlier, South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk (44.68) started fast and challenged until 80m to go. Lalonde Gordon won bronze in 44.78. Briton Martyn Rooney got 45.15 as fourth and Bahamian veteran Chris Brown was a DNS. Purity Kirui (9:30.96) won in a finishing sprint against defending champion Milcah Chemos (9:31.30), who had a taped up right leg, in the 3000mSC final. Joan Kipkemoi (9:33.34) made it a Kenyan 1-2-3. Canada’s Derek Drouin topped the high jump with 231, he tried 3 attempts at 237. Kyriakos Ioannou of Cyprus improved his SB substantially to 228. Canada’s Michael Mason won bronze with 225. Olympic champion Greg Rutherford leapt 820 (-0.7) to fulfil his role as favourite in the long jump final, South Africa took silver and bronze; Zarck Visser (812, -0.4), Rushwahl Samaai (808, -0.1). Australia’s Kim Mickle threw a games record of 65.96 for javelin gold. South Africa’s Sunette Viljoen won silver with 63.19, Australia’s Kelsey Lee Roberts bronze with 62.95. Australia had 3 in the top 4; Kathryn Mitchell threw 62.59 for 4th. Also expected win for Valerie Adams in shot put 19.88 over Cleopatra Borel of Trinidad 18.57 and Canadian Julie Labonte 17.58. For Adams her third Commonwealth Gold Medal and made it the 600th Commonwealth medal for New Zealand.
JAMAICANS DQ IN 400 M HURDLES
GLASGOW (GBR, Jul 30): In the prelims action Cornel Fredericks of South Africa was fastest with 49.26 in the 400 m hurdles semifinals. It looks like World champion Jehue Gordon’s form is improving, he won heat 1 in 49.42. European leader Niall Flannery failed to qualify, as did defending champion Dai Greene. Not a good day for Jamaicans as Leford Green and Roxroy Cato were disqualified. Michael Mathieu of the Bahamas was the fastest in the men’s 200m heats with 20.55 (-0.7). Andre de Grasse (20.56, -0.8) and Danny Talbot (20.56, 0.5) were next. Jamaican favourite Warren Weir (20.71, -0.4) was an easy qualifier. The same could be said of the women’s favourite Blessing Okagbare who qualified easily with 22.99 (-0.6) in the women’s heats which concluded the day’s action. England’s Bianca Williams was fastest with 22.97 (-0.5). In the men’s 800m semi-finals, David Rudisha controlled semi 1 (1:46.61) and Nijel Amos led the faster semi 2 (1:45.65). Australia’s Jeff Riseley was granted a place in the final after being blatantly shoved by Canada’s Brandon McBride, who was disqualified. Canada’s Melissa Bishop looked very strong in posting the fastest time in the women’s 800m 1st round, 2:01.73. World champion Eunice Sum (2:02.36) and Scottish medal hope Lynsey Sharp (2:03.04) are also safely through. Bianca Stuart of the Bahamas jumped longest in the women’s long jump qualification with 667. British favourite Shara Proctor recorded 651 (1.3). Vikas Gowda led the men’s discus qualification with 64.32, defending champion Benn Harradine qualified with 61.06. Victor Hogan of South Africa recorded his 3rd best ever mark (64.16) to qualify 2nd best. Three Australians qualified for the women’s high jump final, including 18 year old World Youth champion Eleanor Patterson.
HOLLINGSWORTH SUSPENDED
GLASGOW (GBR): Eric Hollingsworth, head coach of the Australian athletics team at the Commonwealth Games, has been suspended after publicly criticising team captain and Olympic 100 metre hurdles champion Sally Pearson. It followed a feud between the duo allegedly dating back to the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Sopot in March. Hollingsworth was critical of Pearson’s performance when she came only second behind Nia Ali of the United States, and it is thought the athlete has refused to speak to him since. In a statement released this evening, Athletics Australia (AA) President David Grace condemned Hollingsworth for the fact he said anything, for what he said about Person in particular, and for the timing of what he said. Grace said Hollingsworth had defied specific instruction from Athletics Australia chief executive Dallas O’Brien in choosing to issue a media release through a public relations adviser. He has been suspended without pay by AA pending further action when the board can met to consider the matter. It is hardly ideal preparation Pearson’s attempt to defend her Commonwealth Games 100 m hurdles title begins Thursday. Informs insidethegames.
