Hunter Bell ends 28-year African 800m streak

England's Georgia Hunter Bell captured the women's 800-meter gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31, 2026, ending a 28-year African winning streak in the event. The world indoor champion and Olympic 1500-meter bronze medalist delivered a commanding performance at Scotstoun Stadium, leading from start to finish to secure her first Commonwealth title.

Hunter Bell completed the race in 1:59.51, finishing more than a second ahead of Kenya's reigning world champion, Lilian Odira, who took silver with a time of 2:00.58. Australia's Sarah Billings earned the bronze medal in 2:00.61. The victory was particularly significant as it halted a run of seven consecutive Commonwealth Games where African women had won the 800-meter gold, a streak dating back to 1998.

After the race, Hunter Bell expressed her joy at the achievement, noting it was her first Commonwealth Games appearance and her first outdoor gold medal. She described feeling calm and composed during the race, even though the tactical scenario did not unfold as she had anticipated. Her plan had been to sit behind a leader and make a move with 200 meters remaining, but when no other athlete took the early...