Georgia Hunter Bell topples Africa's 28-year Commonwealth 800m dynasty - Canadian Running Magazine
Reigning world 800m championLilian Odiraof Kenya entered Friday’s Commonwealth Games final with a chance to extend Africa’s historic dominance in the event, with African women coming away with 800m gold in. . .
Reigning world 800m championLilian Odiraof Kenya entered Friday’s Commonwealth Games final with a chance to extend Africa’s historic dominance in the event, with African women coming away with 800m gold in every edition of the Games dating back to 1998. But England’sGeorgia Hunter Bellhad other plans, and executed a flawless run to claim her first Commonwealth title. Hunter Bell, who took therunner-up spot to Odira at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, led from the gun, hitting the gas with 200 metres to go and opening a gap on the field down the final straightaway. The British runner crossed the line in 1:59. 51, winning by more than a second. Odira had entered the race with the fastest personal best of the field, 1:54. 62, plus the fastest times of both preliminary rounds. However, her race execution was poor, with commentators noting she appeared to have “fallen asleep” and had a “naive race. ” The Kenyan took second in 2:00. 58, while Australia’sSarah Billingsaddedanother medal to the nation’s ever-growing collection, claiming bronze in 2:00. 61. African dominanceAfrican women had won 800m gold at each of the past seven Commonwealth Games. The streak began with Mozambique’sMaria Mutola, who won back-to-back titles in 1998 and 2002. That performance was followed by three straight Kenyan wins,Janeth Jepkosgei(2006),Nancy Langat(2010) andEunice Sum(2014). South Africa’sCaster Semenyathen claimed the title in 2018, beforeMary Moraabrought it back to Kenya in 2022. Australia ends Uganda’s 20-year Commonwealth Games 10,000m reign