It was a ‘bittersweet’ moment for Team England’s 4x100m women’s relay team, who saw their rightful status as 2022 Commonwealth Games champions honoured at the London Athletics Meet.
England bagged silver in Birmingham two years ago – but in July 2023, the Nigerian team, who crossed the line first at the Alexander Stadium, were disqualified due to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation against Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha.
That meant the five-woman England squad, consisting of Daryll Neita, Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot, Bianca Williams and Ashleigh Nelson, were upgraded to Commonwealth champions, retaining their Gold Coast title.
A year after the initial verdict, the quintet received their gold medals during the London Athletics Meet, a Diamond League event, in front of the home crowd at a sold-out London Stadium.
“It’s bittersweet because it was a home Games, it was Birmingham,” Neita said. “I’d run a personal best in my own race in that championships and it would’ve just ended it off so nicely with the gold in that moment.
“We earned this two years ago and we were only awarded today. Things could have been so much different if we got this achievement in a live moment. Clean sport is what it needs to be.
“But to be honest with you, it is what it is, and we were able to get upgraded today in front of a home crowd and it was still an amazing celebration.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Lanisquot added. “As athletes, we’re always on to the next chance, on to the next chance – I think it’s really important to take stock of moments like this.
“It’s not often that you get a gold medal at home, in a home crowd, in a home stadium. It’s amazing, I’m really happy.”
The re-awarding ceremony was conducted by Dame Denise Lewis, two-time Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion and President of Commonwealth Games England.
“We all know Denise and we all know what she’s achieved in [winning] gold – it’s every athlete’s dream,” said Nelson. “So to get a medal from Denise was special.”
Williams added: “Denise is actually a lovely lady and to do it here in front of a home crowd, it makes it more worth it and makes it more special.”
Collecting their deserved golds just six days out from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, the presentation acts as a timely morale boost for Neita, Lansiquot and Williams, who will all be representing Team GB on the Olympic stage this summer.
The meet was particularly successful for Neita, whose confidence will be sky high after achieving a season’s best in the individual 200m sprint, while also helping set the world lead in the 4x100m relay.
“Paris, that’s what’s next,” Neita said. “There’s nothing else in between that.
“So it’s just eat, sleep, recover, and then get myself mentally and physically ready and as sharp as possible for the Games. I’m in a great place.
“It’s a motivational boost – season’s best today. You either want season’s best or PB – you get one of those, you’ve done a good job.
“To get a season’s best today shows that I’m heading in the right direction. A couple of hundredths away from my personal best that I set in the final of the World Championships last year, so I’m definitely heading in the right direction.
“I’ve got a taste for gold. It tastes good and it feels good and it looks good.”
