Commonwealth Games 2026, Morning Session, Thursday July 30: History in the making
The women’s mile featured for the first time ever at the Games. Back when the men’s mile last featured in 1966, women didn’t run further than half a mile and the metric mile – 1500 metres – debuted at the Edinburgh Games in 1970. As a result, the crowd were treated to not just a historic first mile, they also witness two Games’ records as the second heat was faster than the opening one.
Thursday morning’s highlights
- Three Olympic champions feature in the javelin
- 12.19 in the first round of the women’s 100 Hurdles
- Team England’s Sammy Ball up to third in the decathlon
- 44.52 leads the way in the men’s 400 metres
Men’s Decathlon
Lewis Church (David Hull, Tonbridge) started his ten-event campaign with one of his quickest 100 metre sprints ever. Yes, it was windy, but his 11.14w was easily the fastest he’s run this season and a good start for the perennial England Champs competitor. Team England teammate, Sammy Ball (Rafer Joseph, Reading) was also in top form. The winner of those England Champs earlier this month, Ball opened his account with a very swift 10.56w. That was fully 0.31sec faster than he ran in Bedford and by far his best time of the year.
The long jump also benefitted from that Glasgow wind, and that meant Ball went to the shot put with a 7.49w second round effort while Church equalled his best ever jump with a wind legal 7.10. Albeit early on, that meant Ball was second overall while Church started the shot in 10th.
It was all change after that as Church threw a magnificent 14.56 to finish third in that discipline. That moved him up to seventh overall while Ball was also in great form, his 13.73 putting him in the bronze medal position as they headed for lunch.
Men's Javelin Throw Qualifying Round
The auto qualifying mark was set at 84 metres, but with stiff headwind that was tough ask even though six in the field have thrown beyond 90 metres at some point in their careers. And of those six, no less than three Olympic champions advanced to the next round. It’s safe to say, it was a loaded field.
Double national champion, Team England’s Ben East (John Trower, Team Kennet) opened his account with a what looked like a modest 73.50. But the big guns could only pepper the 80-metre mark with their opening efforts, so when he too went beyond that with 80.38 (just 11cm off his best) with his second throw it was, in effect, a case of job done.
“I’m absolutely buzzing; it’s tough conditions throwing into a big wind. But that was my second best throw ever,” said East, proud and excited to have made what for many will be the hardest final of the championships given the quality of the field.
Women's 100m Hurdles Round 1
Emma Nwofor (Linford Christie, TVH) ran 13.08 in a super-fast heat won in 12.19w by two-time champion Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan.
“That was terrible. I’m so disappointed and that was one of my slowest races of the season. Maybe I lost my head a little, but it was a pride and honour to put the England kit on,” said Nwofor. “But I say, believe in yourself; don’t give up.”
Women's One Mile Round 1
It wasn’t to be for Team England’s Revee Walcott-Nolan (Luton) and Katie Snowden (HHH). Walcott-Nolan has been struggling since the UK Champs and it showed as she faded away on her final lap, finishing out of the top six with 4:44.93. Snowden couldn’t cover the move with one lap to run and despite finishing strongly, missed out with 4:33.46.
“A run like that should have suited me perfectly, but I woke up this morning and felt I was coming down with something,” said Snowden. “Warming up, I knew it would be a tough day and it was. But coming here and trying to qualify for a third final is special but it wasn’t to be in a strong field like that.”
Walcott Nolan was also disappointed: “It was difficult today. Conditions were super windy and I’m not in the shape to compete at the moment at this level. It was nice though to represent England, but it’s a shame to come here and not be in my best shape,” she said.
Women's 400m Semi-Finals
Yemi Mary John (Alan James, Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) enjoyed a bye to this round as one of the fastest eight in the field. She’s clocked 49.85 this season and looked full of running on her way to first in 51.67. Third off the final bend, she moved through the gears and crossed the line half a second clear of her closest rival who had been ahead of her with 100 metres to run.
“The wind wasn’t too nice that didn’t really matter as we were just going for the big Q - job done. I’m super excited and I even have England painted on my nails,” said John. “I’m going for gold on Saturday.
Laviai Nielsen (Jack Green, Shaftesbury) just left it too late in her heat. She closed quickly but ran out of track and had to settle for fifth and 52.17.
“That was windy and cold but of course we all drew the same cards,” Nielsen said. “That back straight is crucial to get your race right, but I’m so proud of myself to get here. Even last week, I didn’t know I’d be racing.”
Home countries athletes making the headlines
Scotland’s Callum Newby (Matt Cullen, Edinburgh) started his decathlon campaign with three very impressive performances. He ran 10.76 in the 100 metres, jumped 7.45 in the long jump and threw 13.04 in the shot. All that meant he was sixth after the morning session.
Two from Scotland one from Wales made the women’s mile final. Jemma Reekie (Jon Bigg, Kilbarchan) made up for a disappointing 800 metres with a comfortable fourth place in her heat (4:35.15). UK Champion Sarah Calvert (Luke Gunn, Livingston) was sixth in the second heat with 4:32.04 while Wales’s Ava Lloyd (Trevor Painter, Wigan and District) was third in 4:31.41.
Nineteen-year-old Charlotte Henrich (Nigel Stickings, Invicta East Kent) from Wales made the women’s 400 metres final. She ran a bold first 300 metres and looked strong on her way to 52.13.
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