IMAGE || MICHAEL WILLSON
Compiled by Deanna Yourell
We’ve kept our ears to the ground and brought you the most quotable quotes from the last 24 hours. Here’s today’s action through the voices of those who matter most:
Beach volleyball player Taliqua Clancy talks about Tuesday’s match:
“We definitely want to find another level, game by game, and I think we found that.”
Swimmer Jessica Ashwood on getting back into swimming after a break:
“Very glad I did. Four years ago I had a horrible Comm Games (Glasgow 2014) and I’ve never really let that go, so it’s great to come here and get a medal. I’m absolutely stoked with it.”
Swimmer Kiah Melverton talks about getting the bronze and taking the clean sweep:
“I’m super happy with that. I saw these girls on the other side of the pool and knew they’d be out fast. I knew if I could get my hand on the wall we’d get another trifecta so that’s absolutely amazing.”
Gymnast Alexandra Eade talks about her gold medal performance after being injured in previous years:
“I was hoping for bronze and I was sitting in equal third place coming into the final, so I was thinking maybe I would get fourth and that would be a bit annoying. But to walk away with gold, I can’t even describe it, I wasn’t expecting it at all, and it was so amazing.
“Once you get an injury in gymnastics, some people think, ‘she is probably done and she isn’t going to make it back’. I kind of used that to drive me. I got a bit angry and fired up and I really wanted to show people that I am here to prove a point and this is what I am here to do.”
Cyclist Katrin Garfoot talks about winning gold, her preparation and race strategy:
“Everything went to plan, but I was cautious in the lead-up. I thought everything was too good to be true and I was scared to believe in myself, but it’s really great that it came together.
“Previously I had been sick while racing in Europe, so this time my main focus was just to stay healthy and prepare for my race, and all the knowledge from my previous years of cycling really paid off.
“I knew I needed to go out hard. I was scared I was going to go too hard. I know the road, I know the lines, I know everything, but it doesn’t protect you from the pain.
Para-powerlifter Kelly Cartwright discusses her performance and the transition from athletics:
“I only started this sport 10 months ago, so I am not up there yet. It’s made me hungry for more, and I’d love to have more years under my belt.
“It’s not easy to swap over to powerlifting after being a gold medallist in athletics (F42/44 women’s long jump, London 2012).
“This is a very difficult and technical sport, so I have to get that ego out of my head and realise that I have to start somewhere with this.”
Swimmer Ariarne Titmus discusses what winning two gold medals means:
“It’s exciting. When I moved to (coach) Dean (Boxall) a couple of years ago, to think I’d be in this position, I’d probably think I was dreaming. I have worked so hard to be here and I am glad it’s paid off.
“I think my individual gold means a lot more than relay gold; to know you have done it yourself. Obviously being in the relay team is great, but I think the satisfaction of being a Commonwealth champion is really exciting and I’m happy that I could perform well tonight.”
Swimmer Paige Leonhardt on her silver medal win:
“The crowd was screaming at me. They knew I was going well. To come out with a silver medal at my first Commonwealth Games and in front of my home crowd – it’s amazing.
“Maddie (Scott) and Jasmine (Greenwood) did so well too, so it’s a special moment for me and with my teammates.”
Boxer Jason Whateley discusses his win and the Aussie crowd:
“It means a lot, I’ve missed out on two Commonwealth Games so this is third time lucky and to get myself into a medal round is unbelievable.
“I can’t thank the Aussie crowd enough for supporting me. Boxing sometimes doesn’t get the level of coverage that the other sports do, but to come in here and see how packed it is, it’s fantastic, unbelievable.”
Para-athlete Evan O’Hanlon reflects on his home soil victory:
“To be able to be here in front of my home crowd and do a lap of honour, I’ve never done a lap of honour before so it was pretty special.
“I’m a Paralympian getting to represent alongside able-bodied athletes, and our medal count is exactly the same as theirs, so we get to go on the medal tally, exactly the same, that’s a really amazing feeling.
Bowler Kelsey Cottrell talks about the conditions during Tuesday’s game:
“It wasn’t consistent. It was gusty wind. So we had bowls that would swoop in and other ones that would run a bit straight.
“It was a bit of a fine line. So when the wind stopped and the rain came, it kind of made it a little bit easier.”
Athlete Cedric Dubler describes how he is feeling after the eighth event of the decathlon with just two more events (javelin and 1500m) to go:
“Right now, the fatigue and exhaustion of the decathlon is starting to set in. In the pole vault, every time I was running in, I knew that was energy used, so I was trying to limit the number of jumps I was doing. The decathlon is a balance of not running out of energy but giving everything you have.
“I’m going to leave it all out on Carrara Stadium and use the support of the crowd which has been incredible over the decathlon.”
Shooter Ben Emms on not finishing with a medal:
“We shoot here a lot so there are no excuses. It was just one of those days. There was a real tough patch of wind near the end. If only we had shot earlier.”
Athlete Alex Hartmann talks about his performance, the crowd at Carrara and representing Australia:
“I think lane three was a bit tight. I couldn’t quite run the curves that I wanted to but I tried to stay relaxed and composed. The crowd definitely pushed me on and I’ve got more to come in the semifinal.
“I knew it was going to be insane but when you’re down here, it’s next level. To all the people who came out today to support me – thank you. I needed it in the last 50 (metres).
“Being the only Aussie to represent Australia in this distance – I don’t know how to explain it – it’s an honour.”
Cyclist Cameron Meyer on preparing for the road cycling while also competing at the Velodrome:
“We had done some great recon (reconnaissance). I had a great team behind me and all those little one percenters, they counted today. It was a late decision (to enter the road race) and my coach just put it to me about two weeks ago. I just thought ‘I’m on the Gold Coast anyway, why not go for the challenge?’
“I didn’t know what it would be like competing today as it’s my first race back. Last time I raced, I decided to break my collarbone, but I’m really glad I took the challenge and today was my day.
Bowler Aaron Wilson on his performance on Tuesday:
“My performance was definitely better today. I’m feeling much more comfortable. I had some more games on the greens and I’ll just take it one step at a time.
“It was good to get a good start, keep on top of the game and really put the pressure on early. I missed a couple of unlucky bowls, but that is how the game goes. But it was good to get away with the win.”
Athlete Henry Frayne discusses his recent injuries and preparing for Wednesday’s final:
“I always do muscle tears. It’s becoming a bit of a joke. I’ve had a few issues with my groin and calf in the last few weeks. My hamstring, too, since the start of the year.
“I’m just going to chill. I think the next 36 hours will be more emotionally draining than physically draining. This is the first time in a long time that I’ve been in this situation, so hopefully it pays dividends tomorrow.”
