DANIELLE Hill’s first taste of the Commonwealth Games came in Glasgow 12 years ago and the former European gold medallist returns to the Scottish city this summer to compete in the pool.
It will be Hill’s fourth Commonwealth Games.
“It’s a full circle moment, it’s quite funny, it does not feel like 12 years ago but yeah, little 14-year-old me, if she knew that I would go on to compete in four Commonwealth Games, I’d have snapped her arm off so a really special moment this summer,” said Hill.
“I think for me, Glasgow 2014 was one of my first international competitions, I think there was actually more girls than boys possibly, or very close.
“So, I know in 2018, at the Gold Coast, it was only me as a girl, and now it has started to build up again.
“2014 was a great experience. We obviously had Sycerika (McMahon) who was a very talented athlete and one of my role models and then we had Bethany (Firth) who is now coming back with me.
“They were special Games. It was my first time internationally being away and also staying in a big village.
“I remember bumping into Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (two-time Olympic gold medallist) on the first day and I thought, right, OK, we are surrounded by global superstars here, it was a whirlwind of an experience, but an incredible one.
“I think it took it all in, I think I had my first ever swim-off as well in the pool and I still, to this day, have never had another one, it was a great experience, and family got to come over and see me and it was the start of my journey in swimming and when I went over there, I realised this is maybe something that I would really love to do more of.”
It will also be boxer Michaela Walsh’s fourth Commonwealth Games.
“Michaela was actually one of the people in my house in 2014 along with the lawn bowlers and the craic that we had in that house, those women would have sat up to all sorts of hours in the morning and then got up to compete the next day and walked away with medals,” Danielle remembers.
“I think the whole experience and getting around the whole Team NI is something really special. I sent Michaela a message to say, that one will never be beaten, it will always be the best one, she was in agreement.”
The double Olympian is looking forward to returning to Glasgow.
“I never take it for granted and I think, you know, this could be my last and so I’m relishing every moment into this one, and of course, I’d love to finish on a high, I’m doing everything I can back in the water after trials to make that happen,”
Twelve years in a long time in any athlete’s career.
“I’m maybe not wiser, but I’ve definitely matured a little bit the hunger is most definitely still there, you know, I think when I went there in 2014, it was for the experience,” Danielle concludes.
“I’ve had that experience through the years, so I can now be that guide and that leader for everybody else and help inspire the next generation, but also then put out performances and hopefully do something pretty special.”
“I think anything short of that, I would be disappointed, but we can’t take these things for granted, I have the world record holder and Olympic champion in my event, so it’s going to be no easy feat, but we’re doing everything we can to make that happen.”
