Scottish Para-athlete Melanie Woods faces losing her Commonwealth Games women’s 1500m T54 gold – and England’s Ellis Kottas her silver – after it was decided to stage the race again following an appeal.
Woods, 31, set a new Games record in streaking to victory in her home city on Wednesday, but the event at Scotstoun was marred by a first-lap crash.
Canada’s Nandini Sharma crossed the line in second place behind Woods, but was disqualified at the time for her role in the incident and Kottas upgraded.
The Canadians’ appeal against that failed and, after further protests by Australia and Mauritius, the Para-athletics authorities – rather than Glasgow 2026 organisers – have ruled that the event should be restaged on Friday.
Woods took gold ahead of Kottas and Mikaela Dingley of Australia, but the ceremony was not due to be held until Thursday, so none of the athletes were actually presented with medals.
“We note the decision of the jury of appeal regarding the Women’s T54 1500m final,” Team Scotland said in a statement. “Melanie Woods and Joanna Robertson will now prepare to compete again on Friday in the rerun.”
Team England, meanwhile, say they are “incredibly disappointed” with the decision.
“While there is no formal protest process available to us, we have strongly challenged the decision,” Jonny Riall, England’s chef de mission said.
“The race officials did not halt the race at the time of the incident, nor was any immediate decision made to declare the race void or order a rerun.
“Ellis and the team therefore proceeded on the understanding that all competition procedures had been completed and the result confirmed.”
Woods – who has used a wheelchair since being hit by a car while riding her bike in 2018 – is also due to compete in the 400m in Friday’s morning session.
The heats of that will start a little more than 90 minutes after the replayed final.
Read the full article here