Pic: ©Peter Sandground
The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will begin on July 23, 2014 and the “four years to go” milestone has been marked by naming the young athletes who have the potential of becoming stars at the Glasgow games. The talented up-and-comers have been selected for a programme that will give them the best chance of glory in four years time.
Research has shown that athletes’ performances at their first multi-sport games are often affected by the sheer scale of the event. Achieve 2014, a programme launched by Commonwealth Games Scotland, aims to reduce any negative events by allowing competitors to sample the unique demands and atmosphere of a major games before they take part.
Achieve 2014 will send 30 athletes and 16 coaches to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games under the guidance of 10 expert mentors. While at the Games the team will get the chance to observe their own sport in competition, visit the Athlete’s Village and observe Team Scotland to see what they can expect at the next Games.
The scheme was launched by Michael Cavanagh, chairman of Commonwealth Games. Also in attendance was Minister for Public Health and Sport, Shona Robison MSP, who said she felt the launch was a fitting marker for the four year countdown.
“The young athletes of the future announced today as members of the Achieve 2014 programme symbolise our ambition and optimism for the Games,” she said. “They have a huge opportunity to be part of the Scottish team competing at a major event. I hope that their experience at Delhi 2010 will inspire them and other aspiring Scottish athletes to excel in their chosen events and contribute to future Scottish sporting success."
One of the athletes chosen for the scheme is Tony McKenna, a 16-year old wrestler from Clydebank. The younger brother of Craig McKenna, who is hoping to be selected by Team Scotland for Delhi 2010, Tony is already looking to learn as much as possible ahead of the Glasgow games.
“I’m so excited, it’s just unbelievable,” he said when asked about the prospect of travelling to Delhi.
“It’s an opportunity to get my experience levels up so I’ll be ready for Glasgow.”
Tony has already experienced international competition, having impressed in high-quality tournaments in Belgium and Latvia in the last year. He revealed the hard work had already begun as he followed his coach’s plan to have him ready to compete for a medal in Glasgow in four years time.
“My coach has got me on a weight programme,” he added. “And I am training five or six days a week, twice a day, morning and night.”
