Jenny Nesbitt will make her Commonwealth Games debut for Wales, after a selection to run in the 10,000m was confirmed by the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Welsh half marathon champion Nesbitt will join a talented group of welsh women’s distance runners in Australia, that includes Eli Kirk, Caryl Jones and Melissa Courtney.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was told that I’d been selected, and I am just so, so happy to be given the opportunity to represent Wales on the Gold Coast,” said the Worcester based athlete after receiving the last minute selection last week.
Following the last minute call-up to Gold Coast 2018, Nesbitt will fly out to Australia with the majority of Team Wales’ athletics squad this afternoon (Monday 12).
Selection for the games is made even sweeter by the fact that Nesbitt has undergone two knee surgeries in the last 18 months, setbacks she believes have only made her stronger in her return to form this year.
“Having been through two operations in the past 18 months, it makes my selection feel even better, and I’m really hoping that I can produce my best performance on the Gold Coast and use the Games as a springboard to progress even more.”
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Chris Jones, National Endurance Manager, also commented on Nesbitt’s selection, stating: “Jenny is coming into great form, and has been pushing for selection having represented Great Britain at the World Student Games and European u23 Championships last year.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity for one of our up and coming young athletes to compete on the world stage.”
Nesbitt will compete in the Women’s 10,000m Final on the 9th of April at the Carrara Stadium, having raced herself back into form over the past few months.
After finishing 6th at the BUCS Cross-Country Championships on the 6th February, she then competed at the Armagh 3k Road Race, before producing a fine performance at the Bourton 10k on the 25th February, where she ran a personal best time on the road of 33:24.
Last week it was also confirmed that Dewi Griffiths, who was set to double up in the 5000m and 10,000m has withdrawn from Wales’ team due to injury.