The Canadian team has sensationally been reinstated to the silver medal after they were initially disqualified behind a shock Australian gold in the men’s 4×100m relay at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday night. The Aussies won another 10 gold medals on day nine in Glasgow, with the biggest the men’s relay quartet shocking Olympic champions Canada.
Lachie Kennedy spearheaded the victory after his individual silver in the 100m, with Josh Azzopardi, Calab Law and Rohan Browning bringing it home in 38.07 seconds. Canada and South Africa – who won gold and silver in the event at the Paris Olympics in 2024 – were both initially disqualified.
The Aussies won an epic gold in the 4x100m relay as Canada were initially disqualified but later reinstated. Image: Channel 7/Getty
However the Canadians lodged a successful appeal of a lane violation and were reinstated as silver medallists in 38.11. Nigeria (38.12) got bronze, while Ghana (38.13) were bumped down to fourth after originally thinking they’d been promoted to third.
It was a cruel blow for Ghana who thought they’d made the podium in the event for the first time since 1974. They originally celebrated being promoted to bronze but had their hearts broken when Canada were reinstated.
It marked Australia’s first gold medal in the event since 1974 and first medal since 2002 when they won bronze. “These guys did all the hard work, put me in a winning position,” Browning said.
“All I had to do was hold on. Four years ago I fell over in the heat, got this team DQ’d, had to carry the burden of that for the past four years, and today makes gold taste extra sweet.”
Aussies win 10 gold medals on day nine
It was another brilliant day on the track for Australia as Jemima Montag (women’s 10,000m walk), Matt Denny (men’s discus), Rhiannon Clarke (women’s 200m T38), Mackenzie Little (women’s javelin), Kurtis Marschall (men’s pole vault) and Abbey Caldwell (women’s mile) all won gold. Jye Dixon grabbed gold in the men’s boxing 55kg, as did Emma-Sue Greentree in the women’s 75kg.
Leigh Hoffman won gold in the men’s sprint cycling, laying down the gauntlet to Aussie defector Matt Richardson, who switched allegiances to Great Britain. Richardson had to withdraw from the Comm Games after a nasty crash in Japan last week.
The 10 gold medals on Friday night took Australia’s tally to 65 overall. It meant the Aussies had 158 total medals after nine days of competition.
Rohan Browning, Joshua Azzopardi, Lachlan Kennedy and Calab Law after their gold medal in the 4x100m relay. Image: Getty
Aussie gold medals on day nine of Comm Games:
Jemima Montag – women’s 10,000m walk
Matt Denny – men’s discus
Rhiannon Clarke – women’s 200m T38
Mackenzie Little – women’s javelin
Kurtis Marschall – men’s pole vault
Abbey Caldwell – women’s mile
Jye Dixon – men’s boxing 55kg
Emma-Sue Greentree – women’s 75kg boxing
Leigh Hoffman – men’s sprint cycling