The 1997 World Championships final in Athens saw the United States narrowly defeat Great Britain by just 0.18 seconds, securing the gold with a time of 2:56.47. Britain, comprised of Roger Black, Jamie Baulch, Iwan Thomas, and Mark Richardson, finished a fraction behind. However, in 2008, U.S. team member Antonio Pettigrew admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs, including EPO and human growth hormone, between 1997 and 2003. In November 2008, the IAAF (now World Athletics) retroactively disqualified the U.S. quartet, officially upgrading Great Britain to gold medal status.
Since then, the British squad campaigned for their rightful medals, underscoring the importance of honoring integrity in athletics. As Mark Richardson later recounted, “We have had official notification that the medals are ours.” Yet, it would take another 17 years before the team could finally stand atop the podium.
The medal presentation took place at the sold-out London Diamond League meet, officially called the Novuna London Athletics Meet, held at the Olympic Stadium on July 19, 2025. With an audience of nearly 60,000, the moment was met with resounding applause as each athlete received the gold medal they had earned on the track so many years before.
It was more than a victory lap; it was a celebration of fairness, redemption, and resilience. For Roger Black—already a decorated athlete with multiple European and World Championship medals—this gold filled a glaring void in his storied relay career.
The dais in London did more than honor past achievements; it served as a powerful statement against doping. Athletes and officials alike praised the event as a meaningful testament to the importance of clean competition. The British team members, many of whom remained involved in athletics through coaching, commentating, or charitable causes, emphasized the message this represented to future generations: cheaters will be exposed, and justice—however delayed—can still prevail.
This 1997 British relay squad was part of a broader “golden generation” of British 400m runners. Roger Black earned individual world and Olympic medals, while Iwan Thomas set a national record of 44.36 seconds in 1997. Mark Richardson, too, would go on to anchor European Championship victories in 1997 and 1998, while Jamie Baulch and Mark Hylton formed a formidable team across major competitions.
Their achievements redefined British track and field during the 1990s—a legacy now further solidified by the recognition of their world championship status.
Beyond honoring the athletes, the July 19 ceremony held symbolic resonance. It coincides with the UK’s push to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, as confirmed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier in the week. Starmer lauded the ceremony as “a moment of great national pride,” framing it within Britain’s commitment to clean sport and world-class event hosts.
For the athletes themselves, the medals mark closure to a journey riddled with injustices and delays—but also a triumphant affirmation of endurance and principle. Jamie Baulch, once frustrated by the initial denial, quipped that the medals would finally let him say, “I’m a world champion”—a title that eluded full recognition for far too long.
As the British Athletics community and fans continue to look forward to future competitions, the ceremony serves as a vivid reminder of what’s at stake. The integrity of sport, the well-being of clean athletes, and the principles of fairness remain critical. The retelling of the 1997 relay’s late recognition will echo in the halls of sporting governance for years to come.
Their journey—from Athens runner-up to rightful champions at home—embodies the idea that justice, even when delayed, enriches sport’s legacy and inspires athletes today. As a new generation prepares to compete in London and beyond, the message is clear: running the race clean ultimately defines true victory.