‘It’s gold or nothing’ in 4x100m relay final for Peckham sprinter

By Max Hall

Peckham sprinter Imani-Lara Lansiquot says there is no second prize in the Commonwealth Games women’s 4x100m relay final.

“For me, it’s gold or nothing,” said the 24-year-old track ace after running the second leg for England in this afternoon’s qualifying heat in Birmingham.

Team England ran a solid race to claim the second of the three automatic qualifying berths available, finishing behind Nigeria with a time of 42.72 seconds.

“It was very solid,” Lansiquot told the South London Press. “We have so much experience. Our practices have been great for the last… not just a week but probably a month. We’re confident, and it was a solid race today. Tomorrow we’re going to step it up and go for gold.”

The final at the Alexander Stadium, set for 12.54pm tomorrow, represents the chance for England’s runners to banish the disappointment of missing out on the podium in the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, last month.

On that occasion, Orpington’s Dina Asher-Smith suffered a leg injury during the race, which ruled her out of the games in Birmingham and Team GB came home sixth after a blistering anchor leg from Lansiquot.

Camberwell sprinter Daryll Neita, who ran in Oregon, did not take part in today’s relay heat, despite withdrawing from her 200m event in Birmingham to concentrate on the relays.

“With the relay, anything goes, as we saw in Eugene,” added Lansiquot. “Individually, we’re in a really good place. We all really want to make up for what happened.”

PICTURE: PA