For Oliver, this summer is personal. Many of Team Jersey’s athletes are ones he has grown up alongside.
“I am so excited to see the athletes you grow up with compete on the world stage. As a sports reporter, and being from the same era as many of them, you get to see their hard work live. Then to watch them on the world stage is going to be really special.”
The ones to watch
Asked who he is most excited to see live, Oliver picked out the athletics, before turning to a sport close to his heart.
“I think both Lucy Woodward and Evan Campbell are going to do really well. But for me, I love the precision of bowls. I did it in my Try Out Tuesday column and found it such a measured sport.
“I think our bowls team will capture the hearts, similar to how curling did in the Winter Olympics.”
The dark horse
Oliver’s dark horse pick comes with a caveat, and a bold claim.
“Controversial, as he’s not a dark horse in the Games world, but I think this will be where Filip Nowacki becomes a household name.”
The prediction
So what is his Team Jersey prediction? Oliver believes Glasgow will put the Island on the map.
“I think Team Jersey will show just how talented this Island really is. I think we’ll get at least one medal, but I think the world will want to come to Jersey after these Games.”
Follow every moment of the JEP’s Commonwealth Games coverage by signing up to our Sports Newsletter at jerseyeveningpost.com/sportsnewsletter or following @jepsport on Instagram.
