Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s triple race walk champion Jemima Montag says there’s no room for collegiality at the Commonwealth Games – at least not with medals on the line.
Montag defended her women’s 10,000m title in Glasgow, spearheading an Australian clean sweep of the medals as she led home Elizabeth McMillen and Rebecca Henderson.
The 28-year-old let McMillen do the bulk of the work into a stiff breeze before powering clear on the final few laps of the Scotstoun Stadium track.
Montag declared she had “so much respect” for her Australian competitors but showed a ruthless streak as she set about securing a third consecutive Commonwealth gold medal.
“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 that it’s a teammate that you care about and just remember that it’s another competitor and another body that’s ahead of you, and to ultimately be selfish.”
There was nothing more than an obligatory slap of hands between Montag and McMillen soon after they crossed the line.
The 22-year-old claimed her first major individual medal at senior level, as did Henderson, but was clearly frustrated by Montag’s tactics.
“It was pretty windy out there today so having to cop the wind for a good 23 laps was a bit tough,” McMillen said.
“It was certainly not the plan but I’m pretty proud of my efforts out there today and I went as hard as I possibly could.
“I did kind of look back (at Montag) a few times thinking, ‘Are you gonna kind of help out here?’
“But no, I was the rabbit today, so what are you going to do?”
Montag, who returned from a distal hamstring injury to climb back to the top of the Games podium, was unapologetic.
“Everyone has their preferred racing strategies, particularly when it’s windy or at a major. It’s all about conserving energy,” Montag said.
“My instructions were to be patient and when it was time to go, to do so decisively.”
It was the first Commonwealth clean sweep by Australia’s women’s race walkers since Jane Saville took 20km gold ahead of sister Natalie Saville and compatriot Cheryl Webb at Melbourne 2006.
Australians made up half of the small six-woman field in Glasgow, and filled three of just five spots in the men’s event, won by under-20 world record holder Isaac Beacroft.
“Race walking globally really comes from South America and Europe, so unfortunately in the Commonwealth it’s just small,” Montag said.
“And that’s how it’s been the last couple of times as well.”
