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The Commonwealth Games from an Athlete’s Perspective

As members of Scotland’s 20th Commonwealth Games team, Kirsty Gilmour and William Marshall have been under more pressure than most for the past few weeks to perform for their home nation. William competed for Scotland’s men’s hockey team while Kirsty was one of the Scottish women’s badminton competitors – winning a silver medal during the Games. We caught up with them during their visit to Glasgow School of Sport – where they studied – to chat to them about their experience at Glasgow 2014. Read our interview with them below. Q: How did it feel to be competing as an athlete for the host nation? KG: “There was definitely some added pressure. There was also a huge sense of relief that the four-year build up from the Delhi Games was all worth it in the end. It’s sad now that it’s over but good to get through it.” WM: “I don’t feel there was any added pressure as for us it was more like a case of going out there and promoting our sport. We showed the world that we can compete on a world-class level and hopefully we’ve left a lasting legacy that gets the next generation to come through and play.” Q: What was your personal highlight of the Commonwealth Games? KG: “The women’s badminton semi-final felt like my final. I was 19-11 down and I won 10 straight points to win 21-19. I can’t really remember those 10 points but if I had had a heart rate monitor it would’ve gone through the roof! So that was my definite personal highlight.” WM: “For me personally it was playing in front of the crowds, it was unbelievable. Playing in front of 5,000 or 6,000 people who were screaming and shouting for Scotland was pretty special and my wee sister was always the loudest one in the crowd!” Q: What were your biggest challenges faced during your experience? KG: “I think it was dealing with the pressure and trying to get away from the constant crowds. I definitely like my me-time so that was a challenge trying to cope without that but coping with the pressure was really the hardest part.” WM: “I think the biggest challenge for my team was that we weren’t really used to playing in front of big crowds. For us, dealing with and overcoming that pressure and the emotions during the Games was the biggest challenge we had.” Q: What was it like having your home city as the focal point of the Commonwealth Games? KG: “I’ve never seen the city like this! It was just unbelievable and nothing brings people together like sport does when people have a common cause to cheer for. I think it really brought the city together. It was absolutely buzzing.” WM: “It was incredible. Glasgow’s really shown off how great a city it is and it’s saved the Commonwealth Games having it hosted here. After the Delhi Games there was a lot of bad publicity and Glasgow has been under a lot of pressure but the people and organisations have done a great job to promote the city and the Games.” Q: Do you feel that hosting the Games will have a lasting legacy on Scottish sport? KG: “If the Games have inspired anyone else to get into sport, whether it’s badminton or another Commonwealth sport then that would just be really great. Looking ahead it’s definitely going to do wonders for sport in Scotland.” WM: “Hopefully in the future we will get more funding and promotion for sport because that’s what we need to play at a top-level. I hope that more people will get out there and take part in sport.” Q: Do you have any advice for aspiring young athletes that hope to be in your position one day? KG: “Obviously hard work and the right attitude are huge parts of it but you can start at local clubs, local lessons with a coach or apply to the Glasgow School of Sport. There are loads of different ways but you can’t do enough sport, just get going and you’ll reap the rewards of it.” WM: “Just stick at it and make sure it’s fun. I always enjoy playing hockey, that’s why I play it and I work hard at it because I love it. For any young aspiring athletes, if you enjoy it then just keep going at it, have fun and work hard.” Q: Finally, if you could sum up your Glasgow 2014 experience in one word, what would it be? KG: “Awesome.” WM: “Incredible.”
published 18/09/2014 by Online Submission
last update 19/08/2014

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