Bianca Williams expressed mixed feelings after Team England’s 4x100m women’s relay team were awarded their upgraded 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medals at the London Athletics Meet.

England bagged silver in Birmingham two years ago - but in July 2023, the Nigerian team, who crossed the line first at the Alexander Stadium, were disqualified due to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation against Nzubechi Grace Nwokocha. 

That meant the five-woman England squad, consisting of Williams, Daryll Neita, Asha Philip, Imani-Lara Lansiquot and Ashleigh Nelson, were upgraded to Commonwealth champions, retaining their Gold Coast title. 

A year after the initial verdict, the quintet received their rightful gold medals during the London Athletics Meet, a Diamond League event, in front of a home crowd at a sold-out London Stadium.

“It’s amazing but I just wish it happened in Birmingham in 2022,” said Williams. “It was a home champs in Birmingham, so it would have been perfect to actually win there and do our lap of honour with all our friends and family.

“But just to get the medal here in front of a home crowd, it does mean a lot. It just makes it more special. Today was nice, so you can't complain.”

The re-awarding ceremony was conducted by Denise Lewis, Olympic heptathlon gold medallist and President of Commonwealth Games England.

And having idolised Lewis growing up, to be honoured by the Team GB icon made the moment that much more memorable for Williams.

She added: “Denise is actually a lovely lady and to do it here in front of a home crowd, it makes it more worth it and makes it more special.”

Collecting her deserved medal just six days out from the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, the presentation acted as a timely morale boost for Williams, who will represent Team GB on the Olympic stage this summer.

Now with a taste for gold, she said: “Hopefully we can just keep on this gold streak.”