By Sophie Orr
The official emblem of the 2014 games. (Photo credit telegraph.co.uk)
The Commonwealth games begin in Glasgow this week, the third time Scotland has hosted the event. The games take places every four years, two years either side of the Olympics.
Over 4000 athletes will represent 70 nations in 22 different sports. Our eyes will be on the British team (representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales separately) to see how well they will fare against their competitors.
There have already been casualties and withdrawals in the run up to the games, which began on Thursday. Medal hopefuls, Dwain chambers (100m) and Katerina Johnson-Thompson (Heptathlon) have both pulled out of their events. Sir Chris Hoy, a home favourite, has retired from cycling and therefore won’t be competing. Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis-Hill has just given birth to a baby boy and Mark Cavendish is also out injured.
You may be thinking where are our best chances of a medal? Don’t worry, there are still plenty of athletes to look forward to. Mo Farah, double Olympic gold medalist in 2012, will be competing in both the 5000m and 10,000m. There are some doubts over his fitness, but on a good day he can comfortably beat anyone.
Surprise 2012 gold medalist, Greg Rutherford, will be competing in the long jump while Scot Eilidh Child has the nation’s expectations on her shoulders as the favourite to win 400m hurdles gold. Gymnast Louis Smith will be making his comeback after just being edged out of gold medal position at London 2012.
Jamaican Usain Bolt, the 100m world record holder will be taking part in the mens 4x100m relay. Blink and you’ll miss him! While Kenyan David Rudisha, who has a world record of his own, will be hoping for gold in the 800m.
A fantastic week of athletics lies ahead, with plenty of talented athletes to admire. Can England beat their target of 130 medals? Tune in to find out.
Devise 