Josh Kerr humorously dismissed the idea of pressure, joking that it’s only for tires, as he clinched a remarkable Commonwealth gold in Glasgow, much to the delight of his home supporters. The world record holder triumphed in the One Mile race with a time of three minutes and 54.12 seconds, outpacing Australia’s Cameron Myers and Kenya’s Timothy Cheruiyot, who secured silver and bronze, respectively. Among the competitors was fellow Scot Jake Wightman, finishing in fifth place.
Reflecting on his victory, Kerr, aged 28, shared that his formative years training in the stadium equipped him with the experience of both triumphs and setbacks. Following his recent world record-setting mile, Kerr playfully shrugged off any pressure, stating, “Pressure is for tires.”
Amidst being hailed as the “King of Scotland,” Kerr expressed gratitude towards his mentor, highlighting his pride in representing Eric Fisher as an athlete. He aspired to set a positive example for aspiring young sportsmen and sportswomen. Eric, continuing to coach in Glasgow, lauded the progress of both Kerr and Wightman from their teenage years.
The enthusiastic local crowd cheered Kerr on as he surged ahead in the final lap, securing a comfortable victory over his rivals. The First Minister later awarded the athletes their medals during a ceremony in the evening.
Mr. Swinney commended Scotland’s exceptional performance at the Commonwealth Games, emphasizing the historic and inspiring achievements across various sports. He hoped that the success of the Glasgow Games would inspire future generations to continue the legacy of sporting excellence.
The 11-day sporting spectacle concluded with a closing ceremony at the Ovo Hydro, marking the end of a streamlined version of the Commonwealth Games that resulted in significant cost savings for the British taxpayer and potentially secured the event’s future.
With preparations underway for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the total public funding allocated for the event amounted to £778 million, with Birmingham City Council and local partners contributing £184 million. Glasgow 2026 organizers highlighted cost-cutting measures such as utilizing hotels instead of a village, smaller arenas, and a reduced number of events, resulting in an estimated budget of around £160 million. Victoria in Australia’s withdrawal from hosting the event and its financial contribution facilitated Glasgow 2026 without additional taxpayer expenses.
Phil Batty, the chief executive of Glasgow 2026, affirmed that the Commonwealth Games’ evolution was necessary for its sustainability beyond the current decade, emphasizing a strategic shift for future editions.