ATHLETES from Trafford lit up the XVII Commonwealth Games with some dazzling performances writes Mike Crockett
Lorraine Shaw, who trained with Sale Harriers, struck gold with an impressive hammer throw of 66.83 to record Team England's first athletics medal of the games.
More was to come when Trafford Athletics Club's Chris Rawlinson notched another gold for the borough in the 400m hurdles.
Home grown sprinter Darren Campbell snatched bronze in the 200m, before delivering an emotional press conference, at which he openly admitted he had considered suicide seven months earlier.
Shaw dominated the hammer qualifying with a season's best throw of 66 metres 10.
She was the only athlete in the qualifying rounds to automatically qualify for the final as no other competitor threw over the automatic qualifying distance of 63 metres.
Speaking after she'd qualified, Lorraine said: "I am very happy, I've been struggling all season and I'm really grateful to everyone who's helped me."
She had more reasons to smile by the time the final had been completed, as her throw, a new Games record, was enough to beat Australian Bronwyn Eagles into second place.
Shaw, who added the gold to the silver she won four years earlier in Kuala Lumpur, said, "When we went to Kuala Lumpur, there was about 500 people cheering me on in the final. To compete in a packed stadium is really nice."
Rawlinson, who was racing against a local rival in Sale Harrier Anthony Borsumato said after an exciting race, "There was a lot of pressure being the favourite. I think I would rather be up and coming and chasing. It's hard work.
"Matthew Elias (second) and Anthony Borsumato (fourth) are becoming class acts - Matt gave me a great race. I was very impressed with them. I am going to have to step up my level now," he added.
Campbell's bronze - behind Marlon Devonish and Frankie Fredericks- is the latest success on the long road back for the Moss Side lad .
He said: "I didn't want to live seven months ago, let alone compete. When you have a dream, you struggle and fight to achieve it, and when that is taken from you, there's only so many battles you have in you."
Darren spoke at length about the personal turmoil and injury struggles he has been through, but his delight at finishing in the medals in such illustrious company was clear for all to see.
He said, "Great Britain is producing a great crop of sprinters right now, and us Brits are going to take on the world.
"It all started when I was asked to carry the flag. To come back here and win a medal in the 200m is just a dream come true."
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