‘Embrace it and try and take in as much as you can’ – Eilidh

Thursday 28th July 2022

For the first time since the Commonwealth Games were held in Melbourne in 2006, Eilidh Doyle is not part of Team Scotland.

The double Olympian competed at three successive Games from Delhi in 2010, to Glasgow 2014 and then on to Gold Coast 2018 – and won silver in the Women’s 400m Hurdles on each occasion.

So there’s nobody better placed to give a few key words of advice to our 33-strong Team Scotland squad for the athletics in Birmingham.

Alastair Devine’s famous image as Eilidh helped promote the Glasgow 2014 games with a photoshoot on the roof of Hampden

‘If I was to give any advice to athletes selected for their first Commonwealth Games, it would be to embrace it and take in as much as you can.

‘Although it is in Birmingham (and not Glasgow or Edinburgh), it will still feel very much like a home games for Scottish athletes and I am certain the atmosphere will be special.

‘I remember so many of the Welsh and English athletes saying they felt Glasgow 2014 was a home games for them and they loved stepping out into the stadium to hear the roar of the crowd.

Secondly, although it may be your first Games, there is no need to be intimidated or feel out of place.

‘The Commonwealths only come around every four years, so make the most of this opportunity and leave nothing behind when you are out there competing.

‘You have made the team, so you have every right to be out there performing at your best and achieving your goals.

‘I send my warm congratulations to every athlete selected and your families and your coaches. You will be inspiring folk back at your clubs and young athletes across Scotland. Good Luck!’

The track and field action at the Alexander Stadium starts on Tuesday morning (August 2).