Commonwealth Games Quotes

This is my last Commonwealth Games. Five CWG and nine medals, it is enough for me.

It's definitely an honour to represent my home country once again in the Commonwealth Games. It is going to be a magical experience and to be considered as a role model is a reward in itself.

It's been an incredible few weeks for Emma Pooley, first winning three stages in the Giro Rosa to demonstrate that she's the best climber in the women's peloton, then lining up for La Course - a race she helped to make happen - on the Champs-Elyses. So, it may come as a surprise to hear that she will retire after the Commonwealth Games road race on Sunday.

Now I know the difference between a rousing reception and a pat on the back. Now I know the difference between a gold in Commonwealth Games and a bronze in Olympics.

Competing for Wales in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006 at the age of 16 was daunting for me. It was my first major senior competition and to go out there in front of such a huge crowd was terrifying at the time, but I've had so many senior internationals since then, I feel that this experience has given me the confidence to give it the best shot that I can.

For athletes traditionally it's such a fantastic stepping stone to greater things down the track and in the future. Don't undermine the Commonwealth Games!