Sprinter claims first senior gong in Glasgow

East London Advertiser: England's Adam Gemili celebrates silver in the men's 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)England's Adam Gemili celebrates silver in the men's 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire) (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

University of East London Sports Scholar Adam Gemili raced to a superb silver medal in the men’s 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last night.

The 20-year-old Gemili, a semi-finalist at the London 2012 Olympics, clocked 10.10secs to finish behind Jamaican rival Kemar Bailey-Cole and claim his first senior medal.

And he admitted it was a moment he would forever cherish, saying: “That’s something I’m never going to forget in my life.

“It’s not about times, it’s about position. My first time representing England – I’m so happy.

“The times will eventually come. This is just a stepping stone for the European Championships and then the Olympics in Rio.”

Gemili, a former Dagenham & Redbridge footballer, made a fast start out of the blocks at Hampden Park in front of a noisy 44,000 crowd.

But Bailey-Cole, 22, came through to claim gold in 10.00 as fellow Jamaican Nickel Ashmeade took bronze.

Gemili is set to run in his favoured 200m in the upcoming European Championships in Zurich next month (August 12-17).

UEL’s Bianca Williams finished sixth in the women’s 100m final, behind Newham Beagles Asha Philip in fourth.

UEL’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Joughin, said, “It’s great to have so many of our former and current students at the Friendly Games.

“We wish them every success and I know they’ll do UEL and their home nations proud.”