Athletics Review: Commonwealth Games

Summary…

The huge contingent of VIS track and field athletes were impressive on and off the track. Medals, tears and acts of sportsmanship permeated the entire athletics program.

Kathryn Mitchell and Isis Holt headlined the program , from a VIS point of view, winning the gold medals in their respective events.

In an inspiring finale to the Javelin throw, veteran Kathryn Mitchell ran down the runway crying tears of joy and relief.

Having broken the Australian (and Games) record in a previous effort and already wrapped up the gold medal, the last throw was all about Mitchell. It didn’t even need to be a legal throw to be inspiring. As she ran in, it was all about the long journey she has been on and her success in sport and life.

The VIS motto of success in sport and life was also on display in the women’s 10km race when Madeline Hills and two other Australian distance runners waited at the finish line to congratulate every athlete. 

Isis Holt also showed us yet again what a sensational sprinter she is with the teenage school girl adding another international accolade to her name with victory in the T35 100m sprint.

Although she didn’t break her own World Record, she insists that running in front of an Australian crowd makes all the hard work worth it.

“It gets better every time,” Holt said.

“It was just so amazing to be able to compete in front of a home crowd, and obviously the goal for months has been to come out here and execute a race and hopefully come away with gold.”

“Running that lap afterwards. Everyone was so excited to get behind us as athletes and that’s when you really feel like your hard work has paid off, and that’s what’s important to me.” She said.

Luke Mathews and Brooke Stratton were also among the VIS’ track and field highlights, with Mathews coming from just about the back of the field with 50m to run to claim an incredible bronze medal in the 800m.

Stratton bravely returned from fractures in both feet to leap her way to a silver medal in the women’s long jump.

And wrapping up the success in the athletics was our favourite track and field mum, the ageless Lisa Weightman who took the silver medal in a gruelling marathon.

The number…

68.92m... An Australian record, Commonwealth Games record and a gold medal throw by Kathryn Mitchell in the women’s javelin final.

All results…

Brooke Stratton Long Jump: SILVER         

Chris Mitrevski Long Jump: 6^TH

Damien Birkinhead Shot Put: 5^TH

Georgia Griffith 800m: 3^RD Heat

Georgia Griffith 1500m: 5^TH

Isis Holt T35 100m Sprint: GOLD   

Jordan Williamsz 1500m: 6^TH

Kathryn Mitchell Javelin Throw: GOLD        

Linden Hall 1500m: 4^TH

Lisa Weightman Marathon: SILVER

Luke Mathews 1500m: 12^TH

Luke Mathews 800m: BRONZE

Madeline Hills 10km: 8^TH

Madeline Hills 5km: 10^TH    

Ryan Gregson 1500m: 9^TH              

Zoe Buckman 1500m: 12^TH

Joseph Deng 800m: 7^TH

Morgan Mitchell 400m: 3^RD Semi

Morgan Mitchell 4x400m: 5^TH

Joel Baden High Jump: 8^TH Group B

Gen LaCaze Steeplechase: 5^TH  

Image Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images