A year on from Glasgow 2014: 'As soon as we walked out, it was just electric'

“As soon as we walked out, it was just electric,” reflects Daniel Purvis. A crowd of 13,000 gathered inside Glasgow’s Hydro last July to see the 24-year-old and his Scotland team-mates win a team medal for the first time at the Commonwealth Games.

As well gaining a silver medal – adding to the bronze Purvis won as part of Team GB two years earlier in London – the Southport-based gymnast won bronze on the men’s rings and parallel bars gold in the days that followed.

“Gymnastics, I think since London, seems to be kind of the new trending sport,” he says. “I’ve seen quite a few of my team-mates on TV and things like that – years ago, that really wouldn’t have happened. I think when kids can see that and see what it can lead to, it definitely motivates them.

“People thought when I was younger that it’s just an all girls’ sport… I think the more you can see men’s and women’s – and it is quite different in some ways – it’s really good to try and get kids to understand what actually goes on in the sport. Definitely, within my own club anyway, I’ve seen a lot more kids joining in and especially a lot more people talking about it, which is really good for the sport.”

Purvis will look to build on the home advantage when he returns to Glasgow this October for the world championships, a crucial staging post in qualification for Rio 2016. It will be a “big battle” to make the team, he says, rhyming off the names of juniors that have shot up through the ranks since London.

“I’d never take it for granted but that will probably be my last Olympics in some respects so that will be something I’m really working hard for and excited to do.”

That helps explain why – a week after Purvis speaks to Holyrood  – he tweeted his support for a campaign against proposed changes to coaches’ terms and conditions at his gymnastics club, warning they could prove “detrimental” to his career. Two days later, Southport YMCA announced a staffing review would be suspended in the face of an online petition, launched by local parents, that has attracted more than 2,700 signatures. 

Though Purvis trains south of the border, he’s convinced the talent coming through in Scotland offers optimism for the future. “Frank [Baines] and I were at the Scottish championships in February of this year and I can tell from a few years ago that the standard has really improved,” he says.

“They’ve got more coaches in now with more expertise and I think since the Commonwealths there has been money put in there that should help trying to inspire kids and get the right equipment, and give them the time, really. That’s the main thing – having the time to get in the gym.

“Since the Commonwealths, there has been something everyone can kind of aim for, so I’ve noticed a big change and hopefully, it’ll continue. That will be the challenging thing with all sports, trying to continue the legacy of getting better at these sports. Hopefully, that will work in gymnastics in Scotland.”

Picture credit: Alistair Devine

Eilidh Child, Athletics
 
“Glasgow 2014 was way beyond expectations for Scottish sport. The medal tally and stories to come out of the Games showed what can be achieved with hard work and dedication, no matter your background. For track and field, it has helped bring on a new generation of athletes who are now inspiring another generation.

"To see Hampden full for every session was unbelievable and it drove everyone on. It’s given some good athletes the chance to sample major events and they are now pushing on for more at world and Olympic level.”

Eilidh Child won silver in the women's 400m hurdles

Euan Burton, Judo

“I think Glasgow 2014 reinforced into the Scottish consciousness that we are a nation that is passionate about a huge range of sports and certainly that Scots are fervently supportive of all of its sons and daughters who are pursuing excellence on the world stage.

"For my sport, specifically, the Commonwealth Games was an opportunity to showcase the dynamism, excitement and skill that is involved in judo. And we did not let that opportunity slip. By becoming the most successful Scottish sport of any single Commonwealth Games, we really did, as one famous politician declared, make judo ‘Scotland's national sport’.

"The upsurge in children taking up the sport and the inspiration the Games gave our younger athletes will, I am sure, be seen in positive steps forward for the sport in the coming years.”

Euan Burton was Team Scotland flag bearer at the opening ceremony and went on to win gold in the men’s 100kg event

Louise Renicks, Judo

“The Glasgow Commonwealth Games has helped Scotland to believe more in the athletes and that we are as a nation good at a lot of different sports. Judo clubs have more beginners taking an interest in the sport, the female interest has increased and a lot more judo players are striving to improve themselves.”

Louise Renicks won gold in the -52kg weight category, while her sister Kimberley also collected gold in the -48kg