Cann: Athletes should enjoy Commonwealth bubble

The Commonwealth Games baton, and 2022 mascot Perry the bull (front), were sent on an action-packed tour of the Island on Saturday Picture: SUE ARMES

COMMONWEALTH GAMES medallist Elizabeth Cann has urged Jersey’s latest crop of elite sports stars to embrace the athlete bubble in Birmingham next month – while ensuring they do not take their eyes off the prize.

Cann, who represented Jersey and England at the global event between 1998 and 2014, was among those raising the profile of the 2022 Baton Relay this weekend as it entered its latter stages with a tour of the Channel Islands.

The former national champion, who won women’s singles bronze for England at the Delhi Games in 2010, says Jersey’s representatives must not let the occasion pass them by.

‘I can’t believe the Commonwealth Games has already come around again,’ said Cann, who finished fourth in Caesarean colours at Melbourne 2006. ‘Four years seems so far and before you know it, here it is in your face again.

‘I am slightly jealous that I’m not going this year but I am fortunate to have competed at five Games. It was always such honour to be selected and I never, ever took it for granted. The Games is something money can’t buy – you can’t buy your way into competing in something like this – and it was such a key part of my career. I was always aiming for something.

‘Initially my goal was to go out and compete as well as I could in huge stadiums and against strong athletes. That then transitioned into me aiming for a medal. If I was to give any advice, especially to athletes competing for the first time, it would be to try and strike a good balance between embracing the experience – because it is exciting to be a part of something so big – and knowing that you are there to do business and get the most out of yourself. The bubble you’re in as an athlete is so exciting and uplifting, being alongside athletes from all over the world, but it’s also important to know that when you leave the Games, you have left your best performance out on the field, pitch or court.

‘Go away feeling satisfied.’

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