Ashleigh Nelson got the boost she needed at the London Athletics Meet as Team England’s 4x100m relay team were rightfully honoured as 2022 Commonwealth Games champions.
England bagged silver in Birmingham two years ago - but in July 2023, the Nigerian team, who crossed the line first at the Alexander Stadium, were disqualified due to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation against Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha.
That meant the five-woman England squad, consisting of Nelson, Daryll Neita, Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Bianca Williams, were upgraded to Commonwealth champions, retaining their Gold Coast title.
A year after the initial verdict, the quintet received their gold medals during the London Athletics Meet, a Diamond League event, in front of a home crowd at a sold-out London Stadium.
Enjoying her moment in the limelight, the triumph came at a perfect time for Nelson, who revealed that she was in need of a lift after seeing her last 12 months hampered by injuries.
“It's been really nice to come back to the stadium and just get the medal that we should have got two years ago,” she said.
“It's nice up in Birmingham and it would have been nice [to win the medals there]. I think a lot of our families were there.
“But it's been nice that we've been invited to come here.. If it was in a different country, that might have been a bit different, but the fact that it's still on home soil is incredible.
“I think for someone like myself, I had a great 2022 and then in 2023, I had surgery and it's been a struggle coming back this year.
“So to actually come back and get this and get reminded of my achievements, it's extra special.”
Our Commonwealth Games champions 🫶 pic.twitter.com/NuyxW61BdH
— Team England (@TeamEngland) July 20, 2024
The re-awarding ceremony was conducted by Denise Lewis, Olympic heptathlon gold medallist and President of Commonwealth Games England.
And having idolised Lewis growing up, to be honoured by the Team GB icon made the moment that more memorable for Nelson.
“We all know Denise and we all know what she's achieved in [winning] an Olympic gold, it's every athlete's dream,” she said. “So to get a medal from Denise was special.”
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