Black Country stars strike gold at Commonwealth Games
Two Black Country athletes took home gold in the Commonwealth Games today leading England’s early surge at the top of the medal table.
Helen Scott MBE, who used to be based in Halesowen, set a new record alongside Sophie Thornhill as they won the women’s visually impaired sprint in cycling.
Meanwhile Dominick Cunningham, also from Halesowen, was part of the England quintet which won the men’s team gymnastics event – retaining the title they won four years ago in Glasgow.
Scott, a member Halesowen Athletics & Cycling Club, took to social media to celebrate her record achievement.
In a post on Instagram, where she was pictured with her team mate holding their medals, Scott wrote: “Dream day. Dream opponents. Tandem sprinting is AWESOME!”
Cunningham, who used to train at Earls Gymnastics Club in Halesowen, also took to social media to celebrate his win.
In a post on Twitter with a photo alongside his team mates, he wrote: “Team gold at the Commonwealth Games! We absolutely killed it!! Jheeeeeeeeze!!!!!! Who watched us!?!?!”
So far England have won 12 medals including six gold, three silver and three bronze.
Elsewhere Beth Cobden from Cannock was part of the England women’s netball outfit which beat Scotland 74-28 in their opening group game.
Tomorrow she and her teammates will play Malawi in their group game.
Also overnight Dominique Allen, from Stourbridge, will play for England’s women’s basketball team against Canada in their next group game.
Alice Kinsella, from Walsall, who is the sister of Walsall FC defender Liam, will be competing in two artistic gymnastics events for England.
She is taking part in the team final and individual qualification.
And Staffordshire-based swimmer Adam Peaty MBE will be taking part in the 100m men’s breaststroke heats and semi-finals representing England.
The games are being held in Gold Coast, Queensland. Seventy-one countries are competing for 275 gold medals.
