Source : ABC NEWS
An Australian sprinter receives a surprise visit, Jamaica celebrates in style after beating the Diamonds and Prince George looks bored at the cycling.
Here are the quick hits from day nine of the Commonwealth Games.
1. Surprise guests shock Aussie sprinter
Chloe Mannix-Power (right) had some fans she was not expecting to see in the stands. (Reuters: Phil Noble)
Chloe Mannix-Power somewhat controversially missed out on an individual 100-metre berth at these Games, but hit the track for the first time in the women’s 4x100m heats.
In the moments after she and teammates Ebony Lane, Monique Hanlon and Georgia Harris made it through to the women’s 4x100m final, Mannix-Power looked up into the stands and received quite a shock.
“I thought [my parents] were at home watching on the lounge, but no they’re up in the top of the grandstand cheering me on,” she said.
“My parents love a surprise moment, they’ve done it before, so to be honest I kind of had a little feeling they would be up there, but they never tell me they’re here until the end of the race.”
Mannix-Power later helped Australia finish fourth in the final.
2. Prince George bored?
Prince William, Princess Catherine and their three children took in a few of the sports on day nine.
Prince George, however, seemed as though he wanted to be anywhere else when they visited the velodrome.
Prince George watches on at the velodrome. (AP: Andrew Milligan)
Earlier, the royals watched on as the Diamonds lost 46-45 to Jamaica in a major upset in the netball semifinals.
The Prince and Princess of Wales took to Instagram to thank the athletes for putting on a show.
The Prince and Princess of Wales and their family watching the netball at the Hydro in Glasgow. (Getty Images)
“Incredible atmosphere at the Commonwealth Games today,” a post from their official Instagram account read.
“Watching world-class talent compete and seeing the power of sport to bring people together is truly special.
“Thank you to everyone involved for such a wonderful day.”
3. ‘Absolute scenes’
Jamaica celebrates its win over the Diamonds. (Getty Images: Lintao Zhang)
Not only did the Royals take in Jamaica’s shock victory, but they also witnessed some of the wildest celebrations seen at the Commonwealth Games.
After Sophie Dwyer missed the shot that would have sent the semifinal to extra time, the entire Jamaican squad celebrated like they never had before.
We lost count of how many social media videos featured the caption: “Absolute scenes.”
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For the Jamaicans, this was personal.
They were still hurting from their loss to the Diamonds in the 2022 Commonwealth Games final in Birmingham.
“We’re carrying a bit of vengeance from the last Commonwealth Games,” Jamaica captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey said.
“We’ve graduated from bronze medals. We didn’t want bronze this year.”
Jamaica faces New Zealand in the final, while the Diamonds meet England in the bronze medal play-off.
4. Montag admits to being ‘selfish’
Elizabeth McMillen led Jemima Montag for most of the race, but did not win gold. (Getty Images: Michael Steele)
It was an Australian sweep of the medals in the women’s 10,000m race walk, but the fight for the gold medal between teammates was a fierce one.
Australian Elizabeth McMillen and Jemima Montag broke clear from the pack early and led for the entire race.
McMillen was at the front, with Montag her shadow just behind.
Montag’s strategy was to use McMillen as protection from the wind, a tactic which worked to perfection.
McMillen’s lead for the better part of 23 laps of the 25-lap race, before Montag ducked out from behind her and put on the burners in a decisive attack to claim gold.
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It was a move she had no regrets over.
“In a race you have to be selfish. Unfortunately it’s an individual sport, not a team,” Montag said.
“If it was cycling or something with drafting, where you do change the lead around then absolutely.
“But as much as I would love to, sometimes you have to forget it’s a teammate that you care about and just remember it’s another competitor and it’s another body that in front of you and to ultimately be selfish.”
McMillen was not particularly happy, but understood.
“What can you do? That’s racing for you,” McMillen said.
“I did look back a few times thinking, ‘Are you going to help out here?’, but no. I was the rabbit today, so what are you going to do?”
5. Indian boxer explains celebration
Arundhati Choudhary celebrates in her unique way. (Getty Images: Francois Nel)
India boxer Arundhati Choudhary is a beacon of positivity inside and outside the ring.
Choudhary, who won gold in the women’s 70-kilogram category in Glasgow, takes inspiration from a Hindu deity, Lord Rama.
This is why she opts for a bow and arrow celebration.
“In India we have Lord Rama, who killed negativity with his bow,” Choudhary explained.
“Last year I was suffering from surgery and my family was also suffering from many problems.
“So I just throw the bow and arrow and shoot all the negativity out.”
