Home

Thompson-Herah runs down Anang in relay

John SalvadoAAP
The Jamaicans celebrate their bronze medal in the women's 4x100m relay. (AP PHOTO)
Camera IconThe Jamaicans celebrate their bronze medal in the women's 4x100m relay. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AP

Naa Anang was daring to dream that the Commonwealth Games 4x100m relay bronze was in Australia's hands.

Anang had taken the baton from Jacinta Beecher clear in third spot and was running her heart out down the final straight.

But in the back of her mind was the knowledge that Jamaica's anchor runner was the great Elaine Thompson-Herah, the owner of five Olympic gold medals.

Despite ceding Anang a huge head start, Thompson-Herah duly mowed the Australian down five metres from the finish line.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"I knew that we were in a good position, in a medal position, and I thought, 'legs, you've just got to take me as fast as you can'," said Anang.

"Unfortunately her PB is a whole second faster than mine and she got me towards the end, but I thought we put together a really good race.

The Game AFL 2024

"I'm proud of the girls. Even though we were so close to a medal, there's more for us.

"I got to like 70 (metres) and I thought, 'I think we're OK here'.

"And then the last 20 I heard her closing and it was like, 'No-o. Why isn't the finish line here?'"

Unlike her country's other two sprint queens Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, the 30-year-old Thompson-Herah chose to prioritise the Commonwealth Games over the lucrative Diamond League.

As expected, she did the 100m-200m double in Birmingham with a minimum of fuss. And not much in the way of excessive celebration either.

But she and her countrywomen looked thrilled after claiming bronze in the relay won by Nigeria in 42.10 seconds.

The Australian team of Ella Connolly, Bree Masters, Beecher and Anang clocked 43.16.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails