Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s emerging star Cameron Myers conceded poor tactical execution cost him dearly when he was “smashed” by world record holder Josh Kerr him in the Commonwealth Games mile.
Scotland’s Kerr was a dominant gold medallist in one of the most highly anticipated events on the Glasgow 2026 program, storming home in three minutes 54.12 seconds.
Myers (3:55.26) fought his way to silver in a physical race, with Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot (3:55.41) taking bronze.
“My plan was to go to the front and control it, just run a comfortable but fast speed, and I couldn’t really do that because I couldn’t get out at any point,” Myers said.
“I looked to my right to see if I could get out around 650 in and I just had nowhere to go.
“I had to change my plan on the go, which was to just sit and remain as comfortable as possible.
“I got to a good spot at the bell, but inevitably when Kerr made his move he had a jump on me, and you can’t give someone a jump at this level.
“He smashed me in the end.”
In the build-up, Kerr had warned Myers to be ready for “war” as he set out to defend home turf at Scotstoun Stadium, and the local hero delivered in front of a raucous Glasgow crowd.
Myers, Australia’s national champion, placed in Diamond League events in Stockholm and Oslo this year before winning in Paris and at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.
The 20-year-old’s Commonwealth silver was his first senior medal at a major international championship.
“It’s a good step forward but I want to be challenging,” Myers said.
“The reality was that with 50 metres to go he was five or 10 metres clear.
“To me it doesn’t even feel like I was racing him, I was racing the other guys.
“I don’t want to be the best of the rest. I want to be challenging to win a race.”
Fellow Australians Olli Hoare (fifth) and Adam Spencer (eight) finished out of the medals, as did Scotland’s former world champion Jake Wightman (sixth).
The mile was reinstated on the Games schedule for the first time in 60 years in Glasgow, replacing the 1500m in a sentimental nod to one of the great track events.
