There was devastation for Australia at the athletics world championships on Saturday night despite Mackenzie Little claiming a remarkable bronze medal in the javelin. Euphoria turned to despair when the Aussie men’s 4x400m relay team thought they broke the national record, only to be disqualified for an illegal changeover.
The team of Cooper Sherman, Reece Holder, Aidan Murphy and Tom Reynolds crossed the line third in their heat in a time of two minutes, 58.00 seconds. The time would have broken the national record that’s stood for 41 years and seen the Aussies automatically qualify for Sunday’s final.
Even the legendary Bruce McAvaney (R) was confused as to why the Aussies had been disqualified. Image: Getty/SBS
But their joy turned to heartbreak when officials quickly disqualified the Australian quartet. Replays showed Murphy was standing on the wrong side of the line before receiving the baton from Holder.
The Australian women’s 4x400m relay team were being interviewed on SBS when the disqualification was announced, reacting with shock at the news. Even legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney was confused as to why the Aussies had been DQ’d because it was such a rare violation.
Tamsyn Manou explained the situation alongside McAvaney in commentary. “When you come out to run a 4×400, you have to have your feet this side of the blue line – the side of the runners who are receiving the baton,” she said. “You cannot go the other side of the blue line at all. Even if it’s just when you are walking out onto the track.”
The Aussies were disqualified and denied the national 4x400m relay record. Image: Getty
The women’s 4x400m team were shocked. Image: SBS
Manou revealed Murphy doesn’t have much experience running 4x400m relays. “This is devastating,” she said. “Aidan’s not experienced running 4x4s, but they have practiced it. You have to stay your side of the blue line. The fact his foot is over the line, they’ve got no leg to stand on.”
McAvaney said: “So no national record. There’s a bit of air that’s just gone out of a very, very lovely balloon.”
‘Carnage’ in relays at world athletics championships
Australian officials lodged an appeal, but it was quickly dismissed. In bizarre scenes, the Portuguese team were also disqualified for the same indiscretion.
It was absolute carnage in the relay events on Saturday night, with the powerhouse Jamaicans failing to advance out of the heats of the men’s 4x100m despite having individual gold medallist Oblique Seville. Great Britain suffered a similar fate, but the Aussies – anchored by Rohan Browning – progressed to Sunday’s final as the fastest of the two non-automatic qualifiers in 38.21 seconds.
Unfortunately the Australian women’s 4x100m team made a mess of their first changeover and the women’s 4x400m squad also failed to advance.
Mackenzie Little claims bronze in javelin
But Little made it a triumphant night for Australia by claiming javelin bronze. It was Australia’s third medal of the world championships after Kurtis Marschall (pole vault) and Jessica Hull (1500m) also claimed bronze.
Little got off to a flying start in the final when she produced her best throw of 63.58m in the opening round. Ecuador’s Juleisy Angulo topped that with a national record of 65.12m in the second round, and Latvia’s Anete Sietina (64.64m) improved to second with her final effort. It was the shortest distance for a winning throw in world championships history.
RELATED:
Little works full-time as a dictor at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, but somehow still finds the time to travel the world competing at Diamond League events. “It’s easy to say I have this wonderful balance and that things work perfectly together when I’ve got a nice medal around my neck,” said Little.
“But I have maintained, even when things have been hard, that this is best for me. I compete the best when I’m really happy and fulfilled in my life and work is so fulfilling at the moment for me.
“If you’d spoken to me two days ago, to say that I had a medal today I’d be just thrilled. This is just such a reward for myself for some really hard work, some really lonely work this season. I’d like to think it’s a bit of redemption from the Olympics (finishing last in the final) and it’s more reflective of what I can do. I’m thrilled.”
Mackenzie Little and Anete Sietina celebrate with their medals. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
with AAP