Australian sprinter Torrie Lewis claims retrospective gold medal from 2024 world under-20 championships after rival disqualified over drug use
Eighteen months after crossing the line in second place, Australia’s Torrie Lewis won the world under-20 gold medal in the 200 metres, becoming the first “clean” athlete to cross the line.
And her compatriot Jess Milat, who initially missed out on medals in fourth place, has now won bronze after it was revealed the gold medalist was involved in drug smuggling.
Lewis, who is now 21 years old, shared the following on Instagram: “It may be a little strange to share this after 1.5 years, but today I received the news that I became the 1st clean runner to cross the line in the 2024 200m U20 championships. Therefore, after the DQ of the runner who tested positive, I can happily say that I am the 2024 u20 200m world champion.”
British Virgin Islands sprinter Adaejah Hodge, who was awarded 200 meters gold in Lima, Peru, was banned for two years after testing positive for banned substance use; Many of his results, including the 100 meter and 200 meter gold medals he won at the under-20 championships, were annulled.
Lewis crossed the line thinking Hodge had won him the gold medal but was happy with his silver medal; Milat, on the other hand, was equally pleased with his run, although he thought he missed out on the medal.
At that time, Milat shared a post on Instagram saying, “4th place in the world! I am very grateful to everyone who brought me here 🫶✨🌏.”
This was the same under-20 world championships where Australia’s Gout Gut won silver in the men’s 200 meters behind a runner 18 months his senior.
Gout, who opted to compete at the event in Eugene, Oregon, rather than the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has one last chance to win the world junior gold medal later this year.
If he can win, he will now join Lewis as the 200m under-20 world champion.
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Michael Gleeson is an award-winning senior sports writer specializing in AFL and athletics.Connect with: X or email.
