Go and embrace every second Down Under . . .
Renfrewshire’s Commonwealth Games athletes are in for the time of their lives, according to Team Scotland head coach Rodger Harkins.
Kilbarchan AAC runner Callum Hawkins and high-jumpers David Smith and Allan Smith, are among a host of local athletes making the trip Down Under.
Hopes are high that the Scottish contingent can follow up their successful home Games in Glasgow four years ago.
And Harkins revealed that a lot of time and effort has gone into ensuring that the side is in optimum condition ahead of the competition’s big kick-off next month.
He said:“Gold Coast 2018 is going to be a different experience and a different time of year for our athletes and coaches.
“We’ve spent some considerable time trying to help them and their individual coaches, work out how best to get themselves in the right shape for early- April. And the approach varies according to the discipline or the individual’s circumstances, obviously.
“Hopefully all that work over the past few months will pay off.
“I think we can say we’ve seen some good signs early in 2018 of athletes coming into good form. For four or five, the World Indoors was there as a significant event in itself but also as a marker for where they are at. Others had different competitions or preparatory races and events to measure their current form.
“They will have to adapt to perceived differences from what’s normal for them at this time of year. There will be a lot of excitement in Australia for the Commonwealth Games and they have to either shut that out or feed off it.”