News | Tuesday, 16th January 2018
Trio of student athletes selected for 2018 Commonwealth Games
Sport Scholars competing in Australia's Gold Coast tournament
A trio of Manchester Metropolitan student athletes have been selected to compete at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
Sport Scholar Chloe Golding has backstroked her way to the games after being chosen to represent the Team England Swimming Squad in Gold Coast in April.
Sports Science and Physiology student Chloe made the final selection for the Team England swimming squad following an unexpected victory in December, where she achieved a personal best in the 200m backstroke.
Chloe, who swims for City of Manchester Swim Team (CoMAST), was named among 24 athletes to join 15 in the first phase of selections made by Swim England in October.
She said: “I was so excited at trials when I managed to get the qualifying times in both the 100m and 200m backstroke so I knew I had a good chance for selection.
Making waves
“I was notified on the selection just before Christmas so it was really nice to be at home with my family. I want to make sure that I race well on the Gold Coast so will keep working hard in the lead up so I can get the best results.”
Mark Rose, Head coach of CoMAST, added: “The unique relationship between Manchester Metropolitan, City of Manchester Aquatics Swim Team and Manchester City Council has led to a fantastic environment focused on the athlete’s development as a person as well as a student and elite performer.
“This has helped Chloe to develop into the high-performing individual she is and make the performance improvements needed to make a major games team. Her work ethic and commitment to Manchester means she is a great ambassador for all and we look forward to helping her make her next step.”
Three's the magic number
Joining Chloe on the Team England flight is triple world athlete and physiotherapy student, Kadeena Cox, who will travel to Australia as part of an 18-strong England squad for the para-athletics events.
Paralympic gold medallist Kadeena said: "I've been lucky enough to compete at Paralympic and World Championships, so to get a chance to compete at these Games as well is very special."
Elsewhere, gymnast scholar and Human Biology student Joe Fox will join Team Trinidad and Tobago.
Hosted in the Gold Coast city, in the state of Queensland, the Games bring together the leading athletics talent from across the Commonwealth to compete for their countries.
Jérôme Read, MMU Sport’s Performance Sport Manager, added: “We are extremely proud of these three athletes, who we know will do us proud come April.
“The writing has been on the wall ever since Chloe came to view the environment here in Manchester in August 2015. Seeing her swim the 200m backstroke final at the Winter Nationals was a great moment.”
The opening ceremony of the Games in Australia is on April 4.
