Kennedy hails golden age for Australia after sprint record

Lachlan Kennedy, of Australia, celebrates after winning the silver medal in the men's 100 meters final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, July 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

MELBOURN: Sprinter Lachlan Kennedy has hailed a new golden age in Australian athletics after he and Torrie Lewis broke 100m national records in clinching Commonwealth Games medals in Glasgow.

Kennedy ran a personal best 9.85s to beat Patrick Johnson’s mark of 9.93 set in 2003 to claim a silver medal behind Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme (9.83) in the Games’ fastest 100m final on Tuesday.

Lewis improved on her own 100m national record in the semi-finals and raised the bar again in the final, taking bronze in 10.99.

“Far out ... we got a medal in every event we competed in,” 22-year-old Kennedy told Australian media.

“Aussie track is clearly in, I think, the best spot it’s ever been and our team are so strong. We’re in a real golden age with a lot of youngsters and a lot of good veteran talent as well.”

Kennedy became the second Australian to legally break the 10-second barrier in the 100m when he ran 9.98s at a meet in Kenya last year. — Reuters