AUSSIES SET SIGHTS ON OLD ENEMY

THEY might be called the friendly games but Australian team bosses have set the 435 athletes bound for Birmingham one mission – beat England on their home turf.

Commonwealth Games president Ben Houston said team bosses had not set a specific goal on how many gold medals they want to return from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games with but the goal was to top the medal tally and once again beat England.

Australia claimed 198 medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Games to top the medal tally, ahead of England who only returned home with 136.

England outperformed the Aussies in Glasgow with 174 medals to our 134.

While Australia reigned supreme in 2010 finishing with 180 medals to England’s third-placed effort of 140.

The Australian team medal record at a Commonwealth Games is 221 from Melbourne in 2006.

Our biggest gold-medal haul was 87 in Victoria in 1994.

“Our target is lots of medals and lots of gold medals,” Houston said. “We know that the English were a bit miffed that they didn’t do as well as they should have on the Gold Coast and they will be hard to beat at a home Games.

“We are expecting to have that competition from England.

“It is called the friendly games but at the Gold Coast nine world records were broken so there is some real competition and all our Australian athletes are going for gold.”

Swimming superfish Emma McKeon will be out to collect a few of those gold medals.

She is the most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete on the team, with eight gold and four bronze medals. McKeon is eyeing off the alltime record of 10 gold medals held by fellow swimmers Ian Thorpe, Susie O’Neill and Leisel Jones.

The 435 strong team is the largest Australia has taken to an away Commonwealth Games.

“Commonwealth Games Australia prides itself on celebrating diversity and inclusion,” Houston said.

“We are proud to be sending a team that has a record number of Indigenous athletes, a strong contingent of women and the most Parasport athletes we have ever taken.”