Radio Newark Sport sent Gareth Bagguley to support Olivia Mathias
If you are going to make your debut in the Commonwealth Games then Southport on the Australian Gold Coast is a spectacular place to do it and that is exactly what Newark AC/ swimming club member Olivia Mathias did today 7th April.
Olivia competed for Wales in the mixed triathlon relay 2 women/2men cheered on by family and friends including AC president she coped admirably with the 26.1 air temp, 24.2 water temp, 60% humidity and a wind speed of 8.3m/s. taking over on leg 3 in 5th place she managed to maintain that during her 250m swim, (transition from swim to bike being quicker than in UK with no wetsuit to remove), 7k bike and 1.5k run and managing to hold off the fast finishing commonwealth champion from Bermuda.
The welsh team were ranked 8th going into the event and eventually finished 6th with the team management pleased to beat the Scottish team
hopefully we will some photos from the event very soon.