Rain causes chaos at Commonwealth Games athletics in Glasgow
Heavy rain hampered athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, but some still managed impressive performances, including a Games record in the 100m.
The athletics competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was hit by heavy rain, creating difficult conditions for athletes. While other parts of the UK braced for a fourth heatwave, Glasgow saw a drenching that forced competitors to adapt.
England's Amy Hunt, who won silver in the 100m, said she was "absolutely slathered up in deep heat" to keep warm, with her legs tingling. Other athletes shivered through media interviews, while high jump champion Eleanor Patterson of Australia wore a tartan scarf as officials struggled to clear water from the runway.
Cameroon's Emmanuel Eseme, who won the men's 100m in a Commonwealth Games record of 9.83 seconds, described the conditions as "horrible" but noted that everyone faced the same challenge. His time is the third fastest in the world this year and moves him to third on the all-time list of African sprinters.
Mid-session, the rain turned torrential, causing chaos. The first two throws in the women's hammer throw slipped from athletes' hands and clattered into the cage as thunder cracked overhead. After a brief pause, Canada's Camryn Rogers produced a Games record of 74.91m.
The high jump was also briefly halted, and England's Morgan Lake failed to clear the bar in all three attempts. Northern Ireland's Kate O'Connor struggled with the wet chalk in the heptathlon shot put, saying it felt like dish soap on her hands. However, she bounced back to win the 200m in a dominant 24.14 seconds, reclaiming the lead in the heptathlon.
Scotland's Andrew Butchart, who finished 13th in the 10,000m, said Scotland's cross-country winters are far worse and he would welcome similar conditions for Saturday's 5,000m. Uganda's Samuel Simba Cherop lost a shoe and had to run 15 laps with a soggy sock, finishing seventh.
Despite the adversity, several athletes excelled. Eseme's 9.83 was a standout, while Hunt was just 0.01 seconds off her personal best of 10.97. "I am just proud of myself for gritting it out," she said. A few hardy local fans stayed until nearly 11pm, making it a memorable night.
