Commonwealth Games cyclist in tears, told to leave after being denied bronze medal

A heartbroken cyclist at the Commonwealth Games was in tears and was ordered to leave the medal presentation despite finishing third.

Bronze Medalists, Sophie Unwin and Georgia Holt of Team England stand with their flag behind the podium. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

Para-cyclist Sophie Unwin broke down in tears after trying to join in her medal presentation ceremony at the Commonwealth Games on Saturday morning (AEST).

In a cruel twist of fate, Unwin and her pilot Georgia Holt appeared to have won bronze in the women’s Tandem B sprint at the Lee Valley Velodrome — only to be denied their spot on the podium because of a technicality.

As Aussie Jessica Gallagher and pilot Caitlin Ward stepped onto the podium to collect their gold medals, Unwin was seen standing in the background inside the track as the hardware were handed out.

She could be seen breaking down in tears before she was told to move on from the ceremony by security staff.

Sophie Unwin and Georgia Holt of Team England stand with their flag behind the podium. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

Despite finishing third, Unwin missed out on the bronze medal because there were only four competitors in the event, meaning only the gold and silver medals were up for grabs. The event was initially scheduled to have five competitors — a scenario which would have put the bronze medal in play.

The big screen at the track also showed Unwin had won the bronze and it was only later that she was informed about the technicality that cost her a spot on the podium.

With Gallagher and Scotland’s Aileen McGlynn racing off in the gold medal showdown, Unwin’s event against Scotland’s Libby Clegg was officially listed as the “bronze medal” event.

Unwin was even being congratulated as she conducted her post-race interviews before she left for the medal ceremony where she learned the bad news.

She emerged in tears. It was a truly miserable scene.

Plenty of confusion at the velodrome as Sophie Unwin and Georgia Holt thought they had won bronze on the tandem, only to be told there were not enough teams in the event.

They tried to photobomb the podium ceremony before being moved on.#Birmingham2022pic.twitter.com/DXfsMuoopD

— Ian Parker (@iparkysport) July 29, 2022

Team England’s Sophie Unwin and Georgia Holt were left upset after not being awarded a bronze medal (because only 4 teams raced), despite it being on the big screens and on the Birmingham 2022 medal table that they had won bronze. This was them trying to have their moment: pic.twitter.com/Kul23UZrWZ

— Laura Scott (@LauraScott__) July 29, 2022

Unwin and Holt eventually returned to the arena and were seen stepping onto the podium by themselves in a mock ceremony of their own.

The pair were seen with bronze medals around their necks and celebrated with the English flag as the crowd gave them a loud round of applause.

Reports suggest the pair borrowed the medals from the English women’s team pursuit squad.

Third placed England's Sophie Unwin and pilot Georgia Holt. Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP.

Sophie Unwin and Georgia Holt of Team England pose for a photo. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.

Press Agency journalist Ian Parker reported the English team has made contact with the Commonwealth Games Federation and is arguing that the decision not to award a bronze medal should be overturned.