British Men Collect World Relay Golds 28 Years Late From Disqualified Us Team

Britain’s men’s 4x400m relay squad were presented pinch their golden medals from nan 1997 world championships astatine London’s Diamond League gathering connected Saturday having been elevated from metallic aft nan belated disqualification of nan US team.

The US were stripped of nan title won successful Athens erstwhile Antonio Pettigrew confessed successful 2008 to doping betwixt 1997 and 2003. The US besides mislaid their 2000 Olympic title.

A laborious process of investigation, entreaty and reallocation followed, culminating successful Saturday’s position by World Athletics president Seb Coe to Roger Black, Iwan Thomas, Jamie Baulch, Mark Richardson and Mark Hylton (who ran successful nan heats).

The erstwhile athletes were giving a rousing invited by nan 60,000 sellout crowd, who past stood for a very belated nationalist anthem.

“We’re proud to beryllium capable to springiness these athletes their infinitesimal successful beforehand of a location crowd. It’s a chance to recognise not conscionable their talent, but nan values they stood for. This badge intends moreover much because of really agelong they’ve waited for it,” said Cherry Alexander, UK Athletics’ strategical lead for awesome events.

Pettigrew was recovered dormant astatine nan property of 42 successful 2010 successful his locked car successful nan United States, pinch an autopsy study saying he died by termination aft an overdose.

Earlier connected Saturday, nan British authorities confirmed its support for bids to big nan 2029 World Athletics Championships, past held successful London successful 2017 successful a regularly sold-out Olympic Stadium.

“Bringing nan World Athletics Championships to nan UK would beryllium a infinitesimal of awesome nationalist pride, building connected our world estimation for hosting memorable sporting events that showcase nan very champion talent,” premier curate Keir Starmer said successful a statement. “Hosting these championships would not only unlock opportunities for UK athletes but it would animate nan adjacent procreation to get progressive and prosecute their ambitions.”

The UK will besides bid for nan 2029 World Para Athletics championships, pinch a scheme to clasp events extracurricular London.