GEMMA Bridge could not hide her delight at being selected for next year’s Commonwealth Games.
The Oxford City AC race walker has been named in England’s 75-strong athletics squad for April’s championships on the Gold Coast, Australia.
She is joined by clubmate and triple-jumper Nathan Douglas, who at the age of 34 will compete in his third Commonwealth Games.
Bridge started race walking full-time only earlier this year and made her international debut in August, when competing in the IAAF World Championships.
The 24-year-old’s progress has been impressive, with her personal best nearly five minutes faster than the Commonwealth qualifying time.
Bridge, from Oxford, cannot wait to compete in the 20km event next year.
She said: “It’s exciting.
“I guess it’s a bit scary, because it’s such a massive trip and I don’t know what to expect in terms of the weather or anything.
“London was my first championships and although it gives me some experience, I also feel quite inexperienced.”
Douglas added: "I feel really proud.
"It was one element of relief at the time.
"Qualifying is the first step, it's not everything, because you want to go there and do well."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here