THE GOLD COAST 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Today, Wednesday 4th April 2018, marks the Opening Ceremony for the 21st Commonwealth Games, which take place on Australia’s Gold Coast, with competition in all sports, including disability,
lasting until Sunday 15th April 2018, a total of twelve days of competition.

More than 4,500 athletes from 71 nations are taking part, including Morpeth Harrier Laura Weightman,
who is representing England in the final of the Women’s 5,000metres.

Laura will appear on the eleventh day of competition, on Saturday 14th April 2018, in a hotly contested twelve and a half lap event, alongside the likes of World Champion Helen Obiri of Kenya, and fellow Brits Emma Mitchell of Northern Ireland, Eilish McColgan and Steph Twell, both running for Scotland, and Wales’s Melissa Courtney.

Her event is due to start at 15.20 (Local Time), (6.20am GMT), and it will be her first taste of the longer
distance at such a level, however she is quietly brimming with confidence on the chances of a medal.

The preparation has gone well, under the guidance of coach and mentor Steve Cram, and she recently
enjoyed a 1500m track win in Queensland, which proved if anything she has acclimatised well,
and is ready and waiting for the action.

Track and Field action gets underway on the fifth day of competition, Sunday 8th April 2018,
and all events in this category take place in the 25,000 capacity Carrara Stadium, set in a suburb of Queensland.

A familiar face to Laura may take opportunity to watch her in action, in the form of Sian Hurley, (formerly Ellison), who is now fully resident in Australia, and has recently competed in sport, such as Triathlon.

Morpeth Harriers & AC would like to wish Laura all Best Wishes in yet another quest for a medal,
and no doubt, as on previous occasions, will have some on the edge of their seats.

On a positive note, Laura medalled at the 2014 Games in Glasgow in the Women’s 1500m,
​where she won Silver, hopefully the podium will beckon once again. 

Commonwealth Games