Neil Fachie became the most decorated Scottish athlete in Commonwealth Games history on the opening night of Birmingham 2022, as he and pilot Lewis Stewart won Team Scotland’s first gold of the Games.
Opening the team’s gold medal count on the very first day of action, the pair followed Beth Potter, who won a fantastic triathlon bronze just over an hour earlier.
For Fachie though, this fifth Commonwealth gold takes him level with lawn bowler Alex Marshall as the most decorated Scot of all-time, whilst Stewart marked his debut for Team Scotland with a trip to the top step of the podium.
The pair left everything out there and, collapsing as they were helped from their bikes, it was clear they couldn’t have done any more.
With gold medals around their necks, and a Games record of 59.938 to boot, Fachie said:
“This is pretty special. It’s genuinely mind blowing. Eight years ago in Glasgow – I didn’t think I’d still be here. I’ve been ill all week so the preparation hasn’t been great – you can hear it from my voice – but I still had the legs. It’s thanks to this man on the front of the bike.
“Coming into that final lap you know it’s do or die. You can hear the crowd and I gave it everything I had. It really, really hurt, but it’s so worth it when you get to stand on the top of that podium.
Of becoming the joint most decorated Team Scotland athlete of all-time, he added:
“It’s something I was aware of before the champs and I wanted to do it for disability sport to put us on the map. I knew it would be a huge challenge but I was so relieved I had Lewis as a pilot – the guy is an absolute hero. He’s got a back problem and shouldn’t be on a bike right now and here he is winning gold medals for his country – it’s unreal.
The pair will go again on Sunday in the Men’s B Tandem Sprint, where Fachie has the chance to become outright most decorated, should be win a sixth gold.
There was a second medal at the velodrome to cap a scintillating opening night – Aileen McGlynn, another of Team Scotland’s most decorated para-athletes, secured a splendid silver in the Women’s B Tandem Sprint alongside another debutant, Ellie Stone.
For McGlynn and Stone, their final straddled the Men’s Tandem final, as they took on the Australian pairing who had swept all before them in qualifying. In truth, they made light work of bettering the Team Scotland duo in the opening head to head sprint, but perhaps inspired by their teammates gold, they upped their game for the second race.
It was another physical affair, with the two tandems side by side for the whole of the final lap, the Aussies just edging it on the line. That meant it was silver for the Scots, a valiant effort, especially given how new the partnership is.
On how it played out, and what it meant to win yet another medal, Aileen said:
“The final was hard and we knew we had to go out really hard against the Aussies as they are strong and quite jostly as well. We gave it everything we had but we just got beat on the line – but we gave it everything we had.”
“This might be my final one to be honest, as it’s getting harder! The knees are getting a bit sore in the gym but I’ve always felt I’ve been able to get a bit faster and maybe get that world record back. I’m definitely really competitive as well!
“But it’s a team effort – Ellie’s been fantastic, coming in at the last minute and piloting me – she’s done an amazing job. We’ve only been riding together for like 12 weeks. Ellie has never ridden a tandem before, never ridden tri bars. She done an amazing job, and I’m so grateful to her for getting me a silver medal.
Also in action on Friday night was the other Team Scotland female tandem, with athlete turned cyclist Libby Clegg teaming up with Jenny Holl in the bronze medal ride off.
Taking on the English pairing, the debutants knew they would face a stiff contest, having seem them push McGlynn and Stone extremely close earlier in the day. They weren’t going to give an inch though, the newcomers acquitting themselves exceptionally, as they both took on the sprint for the first time. In the end though their opposition were too good, but it was a valuable experience ahead of the kilo, which should play more to their strengths.
Follow Team Scotland’s results at the Birmingham 2022. This page will be updated regularly throughout each day as results come in from around the venues.
Gymnastic Artistic
Women’s Team Result- 6th
Lawn Bowls
Men Pairs
Scotland 23 – 10 Niue
Women’s 4’s
Scotland 16 – 9 Australia
Para Men’s Pairs B6-B8
Scotland 15 – 21 Australia
Cycling Finals
Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit Finals – Neah Evans – BRONZE – 3:25.050
Men’s Keirin Finals – Jack Carlin – SILVER –
Lawn Bowls
Para Women’s Pairs B6-B8
Scotland 7 – 19 England
Men’s pairs
Scotland 18 – 11 Canada
Squash
Men’s Singles – Round 32
Rory Stewart 3 – 1 Temwa Chileshe
Alan Clyne 1 – 0 Abhay Singh (retired)
Badminton
Mixed Team Group Stage
Scotland 4 – 1 Uganda
Swimming
Women’s 50m Breaststroke final – Kara Hanlon – 8th
Women’s 50m Freestyle Semi-final 1 – Emma Russel – 7th, Evie Davis – 8th
Men’s 200m Freestyle Final – Duncan Scott – GOLD – 1:45.02
Men’s 50m Freestyle Final – Stephen Clegg – SILVER – 24.33
Women’s 50m Freestyle S13 Final – Abbey Kane – 6th
Men’s 100m Breaststroke Semi Final 2 – Ross Murdoch – 3rd
Men’s 100m Breaststroke Semi Final 2 – Craig Benson – 4th
Men’s 100m Breaststroke Semi Final 2 – Archie Goodburn – 5th
Women’s 100m Backstroke Semi Final 1 – Katie Shanahan – 4th
Women’s 100m Backstroke Semi Final 2 – Cassie Wild – 5th, Holly McGill – 6th
Men’s 400m Individual Medley Final – Duncan Scott – BRONZE – 4:11.27
Men’s 400m Individual Medley Final – Mark Szaranek – 8th
Boxing
Over 67kg-71kg Round of 32
Stephen Newns 2 – Albert Mengue Ayissi
Wheelchair Basketball 3×3
Women’s Pool Round
Scotland 16 – 2 South Africa
Rugby 7s
Women’s Semi-final 2
Scotland 58 – 0 Sri Lanka
Men’s Quarter Final 2
Scotland 7 – 34 Fiji
Squash
Men’s Singles Round of 32
Greg Lobban 3-0 win against Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka)
Netball
Australia 83-30 Scotland
Rugby 7s
Men’s 7s
Scotland 0-34 South Africa
Lawn Bowls
Women’s Singles
Dee Hoggan (SCO) 21 – 5 Daphne Arthur-Almond (Falkland Islands)
Para Men’s Pairs B6-B8
Scotland 18-10 South Africa
Badminton
Scotland 4-1 Uganda
Grimley and O’Donnell 2-0
Callum Smith 0-2
Kirsty Gilmour 2-0
Hall and Dunn 2-0
MacPherson and Torrance 2-0
Rugby 7s
Women’s 7s
Scotland 33-12 South Africa
Athletics
Men’s T53/T54 Marathon
Sean Frame – SILVER
Following an eye-catching Opening Ceremony at the Alexander Stadium, Team Scotland are set for a packed day of action, competing in 11 sports on the first day of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
08:30 – Lawn Bowls are first up as Darren Burnett, Iain McLean and Stewart Anderson kick off their Triples campaign, Dee Hoggan goes in the Singles and both Men’s and Women’s Para-Bowls B6-B8 Pairs, Garry Brown and Kevin Wallace, Rosemary Lenton and Pauline Wilson begin competition.
09:22 – It will be a historic moment as Scotland Women’s Rugby 7s play their first ever game at a Commonwealth Games, taking on Fiji. They play their second match, against Australia, at 17:52.
10:00 – A busy day in the pool begins with Gold Coast medallists Ross Murdoch in the 200m Breaststroke and Stephen Milne in the 400m Freestyle, leading the charge for Scotland as the Swimming heats get underway.
10:30 – Action begins in Track Cycling at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London. The Women’s Tandem B Sprint qualifying is the opening event with Aileen McGlynn and Libby Clegg, piloted by Ellie Stone and Jenny Holl respectively, going for Team Scotland.
11:00 – Scotland take on South Africa in Women’s Hockey.
11.00 – Grant Sheldon and Cameron Main go in the Men’s Individual Triathlon looking for a strong performance after Marc Austin claimed the sport’s first ever Commonwealth Games medal at Gold Coast 2018.
12:00 – Scotland play Maldives at 12:00 in the group stages of the Badminton Mixed Team event.
12:15 – Boxing begins with Reese Lynch the sole Scottish boxer in action, taking on Timon Aaree of Kiribati in the first round of the Light Welterweight event. Lynch became the first Scot ever to win a World Championships medal at senior level with bronze in Serbia in November.
12:18 – Men’s Rugby 7s start against Tonga at 12:18 followed by Malaysia at 20:26.
14:30 – Beth Potter and Sophia Green go in the Women’s Individual Triathlon.
15:00 – The afternoon Lawn Bowls session sees Alex Marshall and Paul Foster start the Pairs, looking to claim back the title they won in 2014, while the Women’s Fours team are also in action.
15:55 – Scotland play their first game, vs Australia, in Women’s 3 x 3 Basketball as the sport makes its Games debut. They will then play Sri Lanka in their second match at 19.55.
16:00 – Track Cycling finals begin, including Neil Fachie looking to add to his impressive medal tally of four gold across the last two Games. He goes in the Tandem B Time Trial piloted by Lewis Stewart.
17:10 – Scotland take on Sri Lanka in their opening game of Men’s 3 x 3 Basketball. All four players were part of Scotland’s best ever team sport result, a fourth place, at Gold Coast 2018.
17:30 – The Men’s Gymnastics team event, with Frank Baines, Hamish Carter, Pavel Karnejenko, Cameron Lynn and David Weir aiming to make it three medals in a row in this event for Scotland after silver at Glasgow 2014 and bronze in Gold Coast. Baines is a veteran of both those medal winning teams, with Carter and Weir the other returning members from 2018.
18:00 – In Squash, Rory Stewart plays his opening Singles game against Nimji of Kenya.
19:00 – The Swimming finals get underway at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre.
20:45 – Scotland will look to get off to a flying start in the Women’s Wheelchair Basketball 3 x 3 competition against Australia.
21:00 – Having recorded their best ever finish with 6th place at Gold Coast 2018, Men’s Hockey get their Birmingham 2022 campaign underway against New Zealand.
In a Commonwealth Games first Team Scotland was led out by two flagbearers, Kirsty Gilmour and Micky Yule, as the 22nd Commonwealth Games got underway in Birmingham with a spectacular Opening Ceremony.
The ceremony, produced by creator of the Peaky Blinders, Steven Knight, began with a call for unity: “In times of darkness, we carry a dream of light that calls us all to gather.”
Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafza spoke passionately about her experiences in the city of Birmingham, having been brought to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital after she was shot in the head in Pakistan for demanding the right to education. Her speech, emphasising the right of every child to have the chance to fulfil their potential, was loudly applauded by the 30,000-strong crowd inside the Alexander Stadium.
Perhaps the most eye-catching moment was the entrance of a giant mechanical bull, as the ceremony celebrated the cultural diversity of both Birmingham and the Commonwealth.
The parade of nations concluded with the home nations as Northern Ireland Scotland and Wales were followed by England – last into the stadium as Games hosts. Double Commonwealth medallist, Kirsty Gilmour and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games medallist Micky Yule proudly led in Team Scotland to rapturous applause.
In Commonwealth Games tradition, the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay concluded its journey tonight with diver Tom Daley carrying it into the stadium, passing it on to other England stars such as hockey player Alex Danson and gymnast Max Whitlock, before HRH The Prince of Wales to read out the message it contained from The Queen and declared the 22nd Commonwealth Games open.
The sporting action gets underway at 08:30 with Scotland’s lawn bowlers the first in action. Darren Burnett, Iain McLean and Stewart Anderson kick off their Triples campaign, Dee Hoggan goes in the Singles and both Men’s and Women’s Para-Bowls B6-B8 Pairs, Garry Brown and Kevin Wallace, Rosemary Lenton and Pauline Wilson begin competition.
Scotland House, a welcoming home from home for visiting supporters to watch the action and celebrate Team Scotland’s sporting success, officially opened its doors on the day of the Birmingham 2022 Opening Ceremony.
It will host a range of events linked to the Games, as well as hosting the team’s post-competition media activity. Importantly it also provides a tranquil space for athletes and their families and friends to meet in private and relax; before and after competition.
Scotland House was officially opened by Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland, Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport and Professor Michael Harkin, Vice Chancellor, University College Birmingham with the opening event attended by athletes, family and friends, team officials, CGS Board members, representatives of University College Birmingham and media.
Team Scotland have partnered with University College Birmingham to deliver Scotland House which is ideally located in the city centre, less than 5 minutes’ walk from Centenary Square and 10 minutes from New Street Station. It will open daily until Monday 8 August from 10:00 to 23:00.
Paul Bush OBE, Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland said: “With Scotland House now officially open, we will look forward to welcoming hundreds of athletes, friends, family and team supporters here over the duration of the Games.
“As always, we have strived to make Scotland House a welcoming home from home for our team members, their friends, family and supporters. The team have done a fantastic job in bringing our brand to life; from the grand entrance to the tiny details, it all comes together to be incredibly impactful. A huge thank you to the Scottish Government in understanding the value of Scotland House and continuing to support us in its delivery.
“Lastly a thank you to University College Birmingham for hosting Team Scotland. The facilities both here and at the Performance Centre are first class and will be a great resource for the team.”
Team Scotland is delighted to reveal our two flagbearers for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, which takes place at Alexander Stadium on 28th July.
Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 medallist Kirsty Gilmour and Paralympic bronze medallist Micky Yule have both been selected by their Team Scotland peers for the honour, which will see Scotland have two flagbearers for the first time in Games history.
Birmingham will be Kirsty’s fourth Commonwealth Games for Team Scotland. She won her first Scotland senior caps at 16 years old and became the youngest badminton player to attend a Commonwealth Games for Scotland when she competed at Delhi 2010 having just turned 17. She then went on to compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011, winning singles bronze.
At Glasgow 2014 she became the first Scottish woman to reach a Commonwealth Games Badminton singles final, winning silver, and Gold Coast 2018 saw her return to the podium with a second successive singles medal, this time a bronze.
A double Olympian, competing at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games, Kirsty has added a wealth of international medals to her name including three European Championship medals – silver in both 2016 and 2017 and bronze in 2021. She became the first Scottish woman to win the Scottish Open since 2009 when she took victory in the Singles in November 2017 and took bronze at the 2019 European Games in Minsk as part of Scotland’s bronze medal winning team at the 2020 European Team Championships.
Micky will feature at his third Commonwealth Games at Birmingham 2022, having become the first Scottish athlete to compete in Para-Powerlifting at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, where he finished fourth. He returned for Gold Coast 2018, just missing out on a medal again, coming fourth for his second consecutive Games.
Having finished sixth on his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, he put in a fabulous performance to win bronze at Tokyo 2020 with a lift of 182kg.
A member of the British Army, Micky was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010, an injury that required more than 40 operations and left him a double amputee. Having competed in Power-lifting competitions for the Army since 2007, he took a year to recover before getting back into the gym in 2011 and competing for Great Britain in Para-Sport Powerlifting competitions.
Commenting on her prestigious selection Kirsty said, “I am over the moon to have been selected by my fellow athletes to carry the flag for Scotland. Representing Scotland has always been a huge honour but to be named flagbearer for a Games so close to home is amazing.
“What makes this even more special is that I will be walking alongside Micky who is an inspirational athlete and I have no doubt it will a very special moment for both of us. For me personally, I am also the first openly gay athlete to carry the flag for Scotland – a huge honour for me and for everyone in the LGBTQ community. I can’t wait to get to Alexander Stadium now.”
Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland Paul Bush OBE said “This is a fantastic moment for Team Scotland, and for Kirsty and Micky. Selecting two flagbearers who have such an impressive track record in sport is a real honour for us and shows that our athletes are role models and heroes to so many for more than just their sporting achievements. I look forward to seeing them on parade at Alexander Stadium on Thursday.”
Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss said “We are so proud to have selected two amazing flagbearers to lead Scotland into the Stadium on Thursday night. We are really proud of all of they have achieved and to be selected by their fellow athletes is recognition of how highly regarded they are within Scottish sport. We couldn’t wish for two better athletes to lead our team into the Games.”
Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport said: “I am delighted that Kirsty and Micky will lead the Team into the Opening Ceremony as flagbearers. To be selected by their fellow team members demonstrates how worthy and experienced they are as athletes. I am sure it will be a proud moment and everyone in the Ceremony and at home will be cheering them on.”
The Opening Ceremony for the Birmingham 2022 Games takes place at Alexander Stadium on 28th July 2022.
Team Scotland are delighted to welcome Fiona Burnet and Jamie Farndale as our first Sustainability Captains.
The duo are already active ambassadors of climate action, and will assist Commonwealth Games Scotland with our Sustainability Action Plan.
Fiona, 26, is part of our Hockey team for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. She is a Climate Champion with Eco Athletes, a team of athletes and academics, climate scientists and ecopreneurs, devoted to identifying and equipping athletes to lead climate action.
Jamie, 28, leads our Rugby 7s side, and is already a Sustainability Ambassador for Scottish Rugby. He supported World Rugby with their Environment Sustainability Plan, and will begin a Masters course on sustainability at Cambridge University in September.
They have already been involved in Birmingham 2022’s work towards creating a carbon neutral legacy, including recently taking part in a pilot activity with athletes to measure their carbon footprint and find ways to reduce it.
As Sustainability Captains they will play a lead role in supporting Team Scotland’s sustainability efforts, providing an athlete input into our strategy and adopting a leadership role in sharing information and advice with fellow Team Scotland athletes.
Fiona said: “I am honoured to be a Sustainability Captain for Team Scotland.
“I grew up on the west coast of the country so always loved nature, but my interest and passion for sustainability and the environment have really developed over the past few years.
“I was involved with COP26 in Glasgow last year, and it was a real eye opener for me. We need to do more, and athletes and sport can play their part.
“Birmingham is a really positive example where they are trying to have a carbon-neutral legacy. They are taking steps which are really positive and hopefully other major sports will look at the Games, a multi-sport event with 72 countries, and think ‘if they can do it then why can’t we?”.
“If we want to enjoy these huge events in the future then changes need to be made, and that starts with ourselves and our sports.”
Jamie said: “Sport has the power to unite and inspire through the millions of fans that are involved and the emotional connection that teams have – we can help to create the behavioural changes required to achieve climate targets.
“If sports people and organisations speak about important issues and do the right things like highlighting the need for sustainability then they can help make the difference.
“There are lots of good things going on at Birmingham in the sustainability space, and hopefully we can use the learnings and momentum from here to inspire change among athletes, sports and supporters alike.”
Fiona and Jamie were presented with specially commissioned Scotland armbands, embroidered by Edinburgh-based textile artist Lucy Freeman.
Commonwealth Games Scotland are at the early stages of our sustainability journey, having committed to our vision and action plan in 2021. Our aims are:
- to become one of the most sustainable sporting organisations in Scotland, and;
- to use our extensive range of relationships with other organisations to initiate sustainability conversations within the wider sporting community.
Our actions in the build-up to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games include:
- planting a tree for every athlete to mark their achievement in selection for Birmingham 2022, through Scottish charity Trees for Life
- working with Eco Athletes to create an FAQ for athletes looking to learn more about living a more sustainable life as an athlete and using their platforms for social good
- becoming a signatory of the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework
- having our parade outfits made in Scotland, with all materials sourced locally and offcuts repurposed to make outfit accessories
- using local, sustainable products where possible, including wooden pin badges made in the UK, refillable water bottles, cork pens and notebooks.
To learn more about Team Scotland’s Sustainability Vision and Action Plan please click HERE.
For many athletes, competing at the highest level is, technically, still a hobby as they find time to train and participate in elite competitions while also managing to hold down a day job, using days off and holiday entitlements to allow them to travel abroad in pursuit of excellence.
Then there are others who can use those high-profile events to make a living out of their chosen sport. Josh Taylor is among their number.
The 31-year-old competed for Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi as a teenager, coming home with a silver medal in the light-welterweight division, then went one better on home soil in Glasgow four years later.
Shortly after that success he joined the professional ranks and became the first British boxer to hold all four major belts (WBA, WBC, WBHO and IBF) in the same weight category.
It doesn’t get much better than being recognised as one of the few undisputed world champions of the modern era.
Yet the man from Prestonpans insists that winning gold for Scotland while his relatives cheered him on remains his most satisfying achievement.
“Fortunately, I made up for the disappointment of Delhi at the 2014 Games in Glasgow,” said Taylor.
“That was a great occasion: the weather during the Games was perfect – almost as hot as it had been in India!
“Once again there was a great atmosphere among the athletes in the village and the spectators at the events. I didn’t get to sample too much of that, though, because I managed to go all the way to the final again; at least I got to enjoy the party afterwards.
“Getting the gold that time made all the difference, of course. I beat Namibia’s Jonas Junias in the final right after Charlie Flynn had won the gold in the flyweight division.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to stand on the podium and sing Flower Of Scotland – in Scotland! – with all my family and friends and the rest of the nation singing along with me and watching the flag being raised.
“Obviously, I’ve gone on to enjoy my time in the professional ranks, winning world titles and eventually unifying the 140lb division but I can honestly say that being presented with my medal that night at the SSE Hydro was the proudest moment of my career.
“I knew before the final that I would turn pro if I took the gold. It was the perfect way to bow out.”
One of the men in his corner at that tournament was Boxing Scotland’s joint director and national coach, Craig McEvoy, who was impressed by what he saw.
“The thing which struck me straight away was how focused he is while training – you could set a firework off next to him and he wouldn’t notice,” he said. Josh’s technical ability and his movement also stood out.
“He’s also one of the mentally toughest fighters I’ve ever come across. He’d picked up a hand injury at the 2012 Olympics and I recall working with him when he boxed a Frenchman not long afterwards. “Josh won the fight but his left hand would double in size after every bout, turning into a big balloon. He didn’t make a fuss about that, though: he would just stick it into a bucket of ice afterwards until the swelling went back down. That hand was his main weapon in the ring but he’d do that before every bout and sparring session for the next two years.”
Surgery eventually remedied that problem but McEvoy stresses that the qualities which allowed him to succeed globally were present from their first meeting a decade ago.
“Josh has a great boxing IQ,” he claimed. “He strikes like a cobra at close range and he almost always gets his tactics spot on.
“He was also a workaholic and there were times when you had to force him to ease off and give himself a rest but he was a joy to train, a Rolls Royce of a boxer.
“What he has done for the sport in this country is immense and, probably, under-appreciated by the media. He’s a good lad as well.”
Taylor enjoyed his first taste of the Games in India almost as much.
“Delhi was brilliant: I loved going all the way there and seeing a totally different culture – the music, the food and the lifestyle,” said the 31-year-old.
“It was just amazing, even though we weren’t allowed to go out; we had to stay in the village. However, on our days off from the boxing we managed to get out and see the locals and taste the food and, of all the lads in our team, I think I was the only one who didn’t come down with Delhi belly when we ate out.
“It was just a great experience, meeting different people from so many different countries. A lot of them are my friends to this day and I still keep in touch with them.
“When I reached the final and ended up with the silver medal I was gutted. I gave it my best shot but I was too inexperienced at that time.
“I fought England’s Tom Stalker, who is one of the best amateur fighters Britain has ever produced – one of the most successful ones, anyway – and I’d only been boxing for three-and-a-half years at that stage.
“Even so, when we met I was only edged out on points. I wasn’t outclassed or outfought but I lost out on the computer scoring and I was devastated at not taking the gold.
“From memory, he beat me 11-5 but the bout was a lot closer than that suggests. It was only when I got back home that I thought: ‘You did okay there’ and I wish I’d realised that earlier.
“The medal ceremony was held a couple of days later and I still hadn’t got over the defeat. I had tears in my eyes on the podium and I was still raging because he’d beaten me.”
Written by Ewing Grahame
Triathlete Beth Potter created a little piece of Team Scotland history when she competed in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games four years ago. The 30-year-old became the first of our athletes to participate across two sporting disciplines at the same Games, running in the 10,000 metres in athletics – after competing in the triathlon individual and team relay event in Queensland
Looking back, Scotland’s top triathlete admits she took on too much of a challenge Down Under. The focus for Birmingham 2022 is solely on the endurance multisport event – a combination of swimming, cycling and running – where she’s climbed into the world’s top 10.
With a nod to her toils on the Gold Coast, Potter said: “It was really cool to create a bit of Scottish history. I’d only been doing triathlon for a year then and it was a big ask. In hindsight, I should have stuck with just one of them as it was too difficult a task. But going into this Games I’m just focusing on triathlon and seeing how well I can do in that.
“It was a nice transition into a new sport by doing both at the last Games. However, the key was probably to focus on just one – and I’ll be doing that this year.
“It was all within four days last time. I had the individual triathlon, the triathlon relay and then the 10k, so it was a big ask. It was hard – and I won’t be doing it again.”
As she prepares for her third Commonwealth Games, she has her sights set on a podium finish. And little wonder. Having established herself has one of the best in the sport, she was crowned Arena Games Triathlon World Championship winner earlier this year.
She said: “I’m really hoping that I get on the podium. That’s an aim for me, definitely. I feel I’ve made big improvements this winter and I think I’m definitely capable of mixing it with the girls at the front. I just need to make sure I’m there, fit and healthy, and then who knows.
“It would be a bit surreal (to see the Saltire flying) but the biggest thing holding me back is my belief in myself. I just need to believe I can do it. Believe I’ve got a chance.”
Switching between specialist events has not been without its challenges, of course. Her quality as a runner was never in doubt but Potter has worked tremendously hard to master the cycling and swimming aspect of this gruelling athletic test.
Fortunately for the Glaswegian, she’s found a couple of better-than-decent training partners to help her make the transition since moving to Leeds. The Brownlee brothers.
Getting advice and guidance from Olympic champions Alistair and Jonny, two legends of the sport, has been instrumental in Potter’s development. She is certainly pushed to the limit in training – but has reaped the rewards from working with the superstar siblings.
She said: “I had to learn a whole new discipline and then get to grips with the racing on a bike in that discipline, which is obviously different in terms of tactics and energy saving – and I could only pick that up from racing.
“But I feel I’ve got the best team around me in Leeds, and I’ve got good people helping me get better, that’s been key to my fairly steep but steady progression. I’ve put the work in this winter across swimming and the bike, and hopefully I will reap the rewards this summer. It has been challenging but I’m now ranked top ten in the world and it’s definitely all been worth it, in the end.
“When I moved to Leeds, I actually moved in with Jonny, just because I didn’t know anyone, and he helped me initially. They were the reason I wanted to do it (triathlon) after watching them at London 2012.
“I train with them day in, day out and it’s really good to have their support and their input. They are an instrumental inspiration for me. They are my role models and who I look up to. Alistair has been great at helping me with the bike, in particular.
“I know what it takes to get there and it’s good to have their feedback about things I can improve on and where I’m going wrong or how I can get better.”
Just as she was inspired by the Brownlee boys, Potter knows that she’s putting herself in a position to motivate the next generation. As someone who left a career in teaching to concentrate full-time on sport, that’s important.
“I hope people do look up to me because I feel that what I has been quite brave, a bit out there and kind of unique,” she said, adding: “I hope that people are inspired by that. I train with a lot of younger girls and guys on the track and, not that I mother them, but I feel they look to me for advice. I feel I’ve still got a lot in my locker, although I’ve done a lot in my life.”
Having competed in the 5000 and 10,000 metres on home soil in Glasgow 2014, Potter is relishing the prospect of another major event in the United Kingdom. Not just because she’s been able to get a bit of time on the Birmingham 2022 triathlon course.
She said: “I’ve been quite fortunate in my career, on the track and triathlon, to compete in major comps in the UK. Things like London 2017 when I was in the World Championship team, Glasgow 2014 and the European Championships there a couple of years ago.
“It makes a massive difference, and we should definitely be using it to our advantage. I went down to Birmingham recently and rode round the course. Because why would I not take advantage of it being at home, seeing the course and knowing my bearings? I feel it’s important to do that and get more background knowledge.”
Article by Michael Baillie
Andrew McWatt has been called up to represent Team Scotland in Judo at the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The news comes as Christopher Sherrington is sadly ruled out of competition. A gold medalist at Glasgow 2014, Chris was hoping to make his return to the Games but has sadly had to withdraw following double ACL surgery last year.
McWatt, of Garioch Judo Club, will compete in the in the Men’s +100kg weight category which will take place on Wednesday 3rd August at Coventry Arena. He said: “I am feeling very excited to be competing at my first Commonwealth Games. Always an honour to represent my country, especially at an event like this.
“After returning to competition from injury early this year, and in a new weight category, I’m glad I have the opportunity to compete for Team Scotland in Birmingham next week.”
Commenting on the news, Judith McCleary, JudoScotland CEO said, “We are pleased that Andrew will be joining Team Scotland at Birmingham 2022 for his first Commonwealth Games. Although we are disappointed that Chris will not be returning to the upcoming Games to try and retain his title, his well-being is the most important thing. We wish him a speedy recovery.”