Make that eight! Bronze for 4x400m Women after England DQ

Sunday 7th August 2022

And then it was eight!

Team Scotland’s medal tally in athletics seemed set in stone at seven – until a DQ decision promoted our Women’s 4x400m team to bronze.

It was a reward for solid runs from Zoey Clark, Beth Dobbin, Jill Cherry and Nicole Yeargin as they came home in 3:30.15.

England looked to have won it by a single hundredth of a second at that stage from Canada with Jamaica in third.

But a post-race inquiry confirmed errors in the first change-over by the English and suddenly the Scotland medal tally was on the rise again – and the tears flowing. Canada were promoted to golds.

‘I’m glad now that I ran through for fourth on the anchor leg and it was a great effort by the whole team,’ said Nicole Yeargin, who won bronze with GB and NI at the World Champs in the 4x400m.

‘My gran was here and she told me to turn around and check the scoreboard as the result had changed.’

Beth Dobbin said: ‘I never thought I would compete at a champs like the Commonwealth in my career – far less win a medal.

‘I’ve just worked away to improve over the years and I always say it was my dad (Jim) who got me into and it and pushed me to try and represent Scotland.’

Zoey Clark said: ‘I’ve been to three Commonwealth Games and this is very special to me.

‘I’ve won medals with GB and NI at some big events but I always wanted this to happen in a Scotland vest. It means a lot and, given a lot of the circumstances, we ran well and were close to the Scottish Record.’

Jill Cherry stepped in with Carys McAulay injured and gave a solid run on the third leg.

‘It’s the first time I’ve been involved at an international event at Senior level and I’m thrilled with the medal,’ she said.

‘We feel it hard for Carys as she was in the squad but had a niggle and I was asked to step into the team.’

+++

Tags: Beth Dobbin, Birmingham 2022, Jill Cherry, Nicole Yeargin, Zoey Clark