Australia's emerging star Cameron Myers has conceded poor tactical execution cost him dearly when he was "smashed" by world record holder Josh Kerr in the Commonwealth Games mile.
Scotland's Kerr was a dominant gold medallist in one of the most highly anticipated events on the Glasgow 2026 program, storming home in three minutes 54.12 seconds.
Myers (3:55.26) fought his way to silver in a physical race, with Kenya's Timothy Cheruiyot (3:55.41) taking bronze.
"My plan was to go to the front and control it, just run a comfortable but fast speed and I couldn't really do that because I couldn't get out at any point," Myers said.
"I looked to my right to see if I could get out around 650 in and I just had nowhere to go.
"I had to change my plan on the go, which was to just sit and remain as comfortable as possible.
"I got to a good spot at the bell, but inevitably when Kerr made his move he had a jump on me and you can't give someone a jump at this level.
"He smashed me in the end."
In the build-up, Kerr had warned Myers to be ready for "war" as he set out to defend home turf at Scotstoun Stadium and the local hero delivered in front of a raucous Glasgow crowd.
MYERS' MILE MAGIC đ„
â Australian Athletics (@AustralianAths) August 1, 2026
Cameron Myers has delivered a sensational Commonwealth Games debut, claiming silver in the Men's Mile Final in 3:55.26.
The Australian mile record holder produced a perfectly timed charge over the closing stages, surging to silver and adding another medal⊠pic.twitter.com/5QDc2NuIDe
Myers, Australia's national champion, placed in Diamond League events in Stockholm and Oslo this year before winning in Paris and at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon.
The 20-year-old's Commonwealth silver was his first senior medal at a major international championship.
"It's a good step forward, but I want to be challenging," Myers said.
"The reality was that with 50 metres to go he was five or 10 metres clear.
"To me it doesn't even feel like I was racing him, I was racing the other guys. I don't want to be the best of the rest. I want to be challenging to win a race."
Fellow Australians Olli Hoare (fifth) and Adam Spencer (eight) finished out of the medals, as did Scotland's former world champion Jake Wightman (sixth).
Kerr was almost 12 seconds slower than his world record - set in London in July - but held his nerve in a hugely tactical battle under an intense spotlight.
"I don't really particularly pay attention to the media build-up," Kerr said.
"You know, my job is to go out there and perform the best I can.
"Those guys are incredible. He (Myers) has had an awesome season, you know, he's ran fast over 1500.
"But these races are different, you know? It was always going to be a little cagey."
The mile was reinstated on the Games schedule for the first time in 60 years in Glasgow, replacing the 1500m in a sentimental nod to one of the great track events.
