Home Nation athletes ready for Thursday’s triathlon
22nd July 2014
The first medal of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will be awarded to a triathlete in Strathclyde Park on Thursday lunch time. The women’s triathlon will decide the very first medal in any sport at the Games, and the Home Nations have high hopes for success.
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games feature individual women’s and men’s events on Thursday followed by the Mixed Team Relay on Saturday. All three events are free-to-view and feature Home Nation athletes.
Scottish triathlete, David McNamee summed up how special it will be to race in front of a home crowd. He commented: “It’s got to be the biggest triathlon ever to take place in Scotland and I can’t wait! I’m particularly looking forward to seeing the big Scottish crowds in the park.”
Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee feature again in a major home international Games following their gold and bronze medal winning successes at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Olympic champion, Alistair, said: “The last few weeks have gone well for me. I’m happy with where I am and I’m excited to get out there and race for Team England in my first Commonwealth Games.”
Jonathan added: “The course is hilly and technical so it’s going to be a true test. Add the excitement of a major Games and the big crowds and I think this is going to be a great race.”
Jodie Stimpson, who is currently ranked number two in the world, features in her first multi sport games and said: "It will be brilliant to represent Team England in front of my friends and family in Strathclyde Park. Having missed out on the Olympics I'm doubly determined to be up there and fighting for a medal."
The Welsh squad will focus on the Mixed Relay event. Liam Lloyd said: “I’m looking forward to wearing the Welsh kit with pride when we get to race day on Saturday.”
Triathlon has featured twice in previous Commonwealth Games, but wasn’t included in the last Games in Delhi. Leanda Cave is the only Home Nations athlete to have won a medal at previous Commonwealth Games. She won silver in Manchester in 2002.
As well as being free-to-view at thevenue, the events will be shown live by the BBC.
Schedule
Women’s individual triathlon: Thursday 24 July 11am
Men’s individual triathlon: Thursday 24 July 3pm
Mixed Relay triathlon: Saturday 26 July at 12.30pm