Team England finishes third in the medal table
18th October 2008The third Commonwealth Youth Games, held in Pune, India, drew to a close today with Team England finishing in third place in the medal table behind host nation India and Australia with a total of 41 medals, including 18 golds.
This has been the biggest Commonwealth Youth Games yet with all 71 Commonwealth nations competing for the first time, compared to 25 in Bendigo, Australia four years ago. The Games highlighted a number of promising young athletes who could go on to be part of Team England at the senior Commonwealth Games, which take place in Delhi in 2010.
James Huckle, from Harlow in Essex, has emerged as a major talent with three gold medals in the rifle shooting, while 14-year-old weightlifter Zoe Smith is undoubtedly a star of the future after setting, not only two Games records but two senior British records on her way to winning gold. Boxers John Quigley, Iain Weaver and Daniel Phillips all enhanced their reputations with comprehensive victories over all opposition in their respective categories.
On the track Shaunna Thompson was hugely impressive in setting Games records in the women’s 100m and 200m and in the pool Helena Thornton and Katy Venters won gold against strong Australian opposition.
The Commonwealth Youth Games provides valuable experience for young athletes and Pune was, for a number of Team England’s 80 athletes, a first experience of international competition.
“The Commonwealth Youth Games has been a great experience for me on many levels,” said James Huckle. “Visiting a country I’ve never been to, in a part of the world I’ve never been to - that’s an experience in itself quite apart from the shooting experience I’ve gained - and I feel as if I’ve really grown up.”
“This has been a fantastic experience,” said John Quigley. “I’ve learnt that you have to chill out whenever you can - when you are fighting every day you need to learn to relax in your spare time so you can keep fresh and keep winning because the further you go in the competition the harder the fights.”
“It’s been a big learning curve,” agreed Helena Thornton, “and to swim in these conditions is good preparation for the future.”
The Games finish with the official Closing Ceremony starting at 17.30 local time. Zoe Smith will crown a memorable first appearance for Team England by carrying the flag at the ceremony, accompanied by James Huckle, Katy Venters and Shaunna Thompson.
“I’m so proud,” said Zoe, the youngest member of Team England in Pune. “Winning the gold was the best experience of my life and to be chosen to carry the flag for the whole team is amazing. It’s also great for weightlifting to have athletes chosen to carry the flag at both the Opening and Closing ceremonies.”
“Pune has been a wonderful experience for all our young athletes,” said Team England chef de mission Ann Hogbin. “It is not easy to travel to the other side of the world and cope with totally different conditions but they have all adapted very well and performed with great credit. The experience they have gained out here will be extremely valuable, especially for those who will go on to compete for Team England in Delhi in two years time.”
Team England had an 80-strong team competing at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, which ran from 12th to 18th October, with athletes competing in all nine sports at the Games – athletics, badminton, boxing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. The team was supported in Pune by Sir Andrew Foster, in his first year as Chairman of Commonwealth Games England, and Team England Ambassador, multiple Commonwealth gold medalist Karen Pickering.
The final medal table was:
| Position | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | India | 33 | 26 | 17 | 74 |
| 2 | Australia | 24 | 19 | 22 | 64 |
| 3 | England | 18 | 9 | 14 | 41 |
| 4 | South Africa | 7 | 14 | 9 | 29 |
| 5 | Canada | 6 | 10 | 10 | 26 |
| 6 | Wales | 5 | 5 | 6 | 16 |
| 7 | Malaysia | 3 | 4 | 6 | 13 |
| 8 | Scotland | 3 | 3 | 12 | 18 |
| 9 | New Zealand | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| 10 | Kenya | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |