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Fantastic day for Freeman

GO AUSSIE GO! The Australian women's 4x400m quartet (from left: Tamsyn Lewis, Lauren Hewitt, Cathy Freeman and Jana Pittman) is jubilant after winning the gold at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester on Wednesday. — AP

MANCHESTER AUG. 1. Cathy Freeman stepped back into the international limelight to capture a gold medal and local hero Darren Campbell got the gold which had remained agonisingly out of his reach during a night of emotional comebacks as the curtain came down on the athletics competitions at the Commonwealth Games here on Wednesday.

Freeman, returning after a two-year layoff, clinched gold with Australia in the women's 4x400m relay.

The Aussies, featuring Olympic 400m gold medallist Freeman on the second leg, smashed the Games record to retain their women's 4x400m relay crown, finishing in 3 minutes, 25.63 seconds.

``It was very special,'' Freeman said, commenting on her comeback and the fourth Games medal of her career. ``I never dreamed this could ever happen to me. It's kind of strange.

``I've had fantastic experiences...unforgettable moments.''

Freeman took a break from athletics last year but in early April injured her right thigh and delayed her return. The next month she suffered a fresh setback when her husband was diagnosed.

She said before competing here that she was only 80 per cent fit. She also admitted she had become unaccustomed to international events.

The roar of the crowd when her name was announced indicated her popularity hadn't faded and she delivered an authoritative performance.

Australia was lying sixth when Freeman received the baton, but a smooth handover and leader Jamaica's stumble allowed her to push quickly into the lead.

She looked composed and led until the final few metres when she began to tire and was overtaken by the English runner.

That result pushed the home nation into second but the display brought a rapturous salute from the spectators on a damp and cool night in northern England.

Campbell's gold as part of England's 4x100m team also fired up the crowd.

The 28-year-old Manchester sprinter won national sympathy when he pulled up in the 100m with cramps. Campbell, silver medallist in Sydney, had been expected to collect gold in the blue riband event.

The European 100m champion later captured bronze in the 200m but the relay title had a special flavour.

``It's a fitting way to end this championship. I know the whole team has put every last bit of effort into getting medals,'' said Campbell, who revealed this week that he had considered suicide after injuries and illness disrupted his career following his win in Sydney.

Campbell and Jamaica's Asafa Powell duelled down the final leg of the 4x100m and dipped over the line together in 38.62 seconds, but Campbell's chest was shown to cross the line first by a fraction.

Backley takes third crown

It was a triumphant night for England.

The host nation also bagged the men's 4x400m relay crown in a time of 3:00.40 seconds; Steve Backley won his third Games javelin title and took his haul to 12 medals in five major championships with a 86.81m throw.

The results (all finals):

Men: 1500m: 1. Mike East (Eng), 3m 37.35s, 2. William Chirchir (Ken), 3. Youcef Abdi (Aus); 5000m: 1. Sammy Kipketer (Ken), 13m 13.51s, 2. Benjamin Limo (Ken), 3. Willy Kiptoo Kirui (Ken); 100m disabled:

1. Adekunle Adesoji (Nig), 10.76s (World record; previous record 10.83); 2. Hisham Khaironi (Mal), 3. Rory Field (RSA); 4x100m relay: 1. England (Jason Gardener, Marlon Devonish, Allyn Condon and Darren Campbell) 38.62s, 2. Jamaica , 3. Australia ; 4x400m relay: 1. England (Jared Deacon, Sean Baldock, Chris Rawlinson and Daniel Caines) 3m 00.40s, 2. Wales , 3. Bahamas ; Shot put: 1. Justin Anlezark (Aus), 20.91m, 2. Janus Robberts (RSA), 3. Carl Myerscough (Eng).

Women: 100m hurdles: 1. Lacena Golding-Clark (Jam), 12.77s, 2. Vonette Dixon (Jam), 3. Angela Atede (Nig); 1500m: 1. Kelly Holmes (Eng) 4m 05.99s, 2. Hayley Tullett (Wal), 3. Helen Pattinson (Eng); 800m wheelchair: 1. Chantal Petitclerc (Can) 1m 52.93s, 2. Louise Sauvage (Aus), 3. Eliza Stankovic (Aus); 4x100m relay: 1. Bahamas (Tamica Clarke, Sevatheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup and Debbie Ferguson), 42.44s; 2. Jamaica , 3. England ; 4x400m relay: 1. Australia (Tamsyn Lewis, Cathy Freeman, Lauren Hewitt and Jana Pittman) 3m 25.63s, 2. England , 3. Nigeria ; Triple jump: 1. Ashia Hansen (Eng), 14.86s, 2. Francoise Mbango (Cam), 3. Trecia Smith (Jam).

— AP

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