Georgia Hunter Bell felt “really calm” in winning gold in the 800 metres final at Scotstoun Stadium even though the race did not go to plan.
The Olympic bronze medallist from Paris at 1500m, who also won silver at the 2025 World Championships at 800m, demonstrated her class in her first Commonwealth Games.
The 32-year-old English runner led at the bell after dominating the first lap then stepped it up coming down the home straight to leave her challengers behind, finishing in 1:59.51.
Kenyan Lilian Odira was second in 2:00.58 with Australia’s Sarah Billings taking bronze in 2:00.61, while Isabelle Boffey of Wales finished fifth.
Hunter Bell said: “I felt really calm. I felt calm. I really feel like I was composed. It didn’t go to plan as in the race.
“I did not think I would do a gun to tape and lead it for the whole thing.
“I wanted to lead with, like, 200 to go. But I found myself at the front and so I thought, I’ll just control it, keep it relaxed, not too fast.
“And then when I feel that pressure on me with a move being made, I’ll be ready to go.”
Hunter Bell was pleased to hear the Glasgow crowd cheer her to the finish line.
She said: “It was very emotional (on podium). I think I’ve just felt really supported here.
“The crowd has been really nice to me even though I’m English, which I wasn’t sure if I would get.
“But everyone has been just great and especially that last little bit of the race.
“I thought like my legs were going, but the crowd like really got me there. So yeah, so happy.
“I’ve never done a Commonwealth Games before, so I really wanted to experience it.
“I really wanted the opportunity to win medals.
“I think every athlete is different and I had to pull out of London (Diamond League) a couple of weeks ago because I was sick and you can have a plan of what you want to do, but you have to adapt as the season goes.
“So, yeah, I wanted to be here and I’m very happy that I could be here and that the sickness didn’t linger too long.”
England’s Emily Newnham won silver in the women’s 400m hurdles final, beaten by Sanique Walker of Jamaica.
Jake Minshull of England also took silver in the men’s 400m hurdles final with Nigeria’s Ezekiel Nathaniel taking gold.
