Georgia Hunter Bell outruns Odira to win Commonwealth Games 800m gold
British runner Georgia Hunter Bell won the 800m gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Her victory marks a career resurgence for the 32-year-old, who had previously retired from the sport due to injuries.
Why it matters
A notable comeback story in professional athletics, highlighting the impact of coaching and perseverance.
Georgia Hunter Bell takes in her achievement after winning the women's 800m final in Glasgow. Georgia Hunter Bell takes in her achievement after winning the women's 800m final in Glasgow. Commonwealth Games 2026 Georgia Hunter Bell outruns Odira to win Commonwealth Games 800m gold Hunter Bell clocks 1min 59.51 to beat world champion
Win secures full set of major medals for English runner
Prefer the Guardian on Google There are late developers in sport, and then there is the brilliant Georgia Hunter Bell, who continues to defy sporting gravity at the age of 32.
And on Friday night under the Glasgow lights, she gave a tactical masterclass to outwit – and then outpace – the 800m world champion Lilian Odira and complete her set of global medals.
“There were some tears on the podium,” Hunter Bell said afterwards. “That showed me how much that meant.”
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