I’M PICTURING ANOTHER MEDAL
Mrs Archibald’s pride is framed snap of kids’ Oz glory – now John’s promised her a selfie
THE photo still takes pride of place on the wall at Louise Archibald’s home in Port Glasgow.
Son John and daughter Katie proudly showing off their medals in Australia’s Anna Meares Velodrome after entering the history books as the first siblings to win Commonwealth Games gongs for Team Scotland on the same day.
That was four years ago in the Gold Coast as John took silver in the individual pursuit and his little sister went one better with her first Games gold in the same event.
Fair to say the duo would have been looking to repeat their double heroics when this year’s extravaganza gets under way next week.
But, cruelly, they have been deprived of that opportunity by Katie’s withdrawal from Birmingham 2022 just last week due to a hellish year of injury.
The disappointment for the 27-year-old is felt right across the family.
But there’s no danger of John allowing it to deflect his attention from seeking a second Games medal.
The 31-year-old’s determined to ensure the Archibald name is back on a Games podium when the individual pursuit hits the Lee Valley Velopark in London next weekend.
In fact the elder Archibald is so focused on success in a gruelling nine days – which will also see him compete in the time trial, points race and road race – that the little bit of history made down under four years ago had momentarily slipped his mind.
He told Record Sport: “I’d forgotten that fact!
“Yeah, that’s cool. I don’t think Katie’s medal that day was ever in doubt whereas mine was a bit of a surprise.
“The double meant a lot to the family – my mum, dad and little sister Rosie were out there watching and they had a massive party afterwards.
“So yeah, it’s significant isn’t it? It makes a great photo on the wall and a great story. The picture is on my mum’s wall in Port Glasgow. Framed, pride of place. We relished the moment for sure.
“I’m disappointed for Katie. It’s been a hard time that she’s had recently.
“That’s all I can really say. I don’t want to talk for her.
“But she’d want to be here preparing and I’m certainly disappointed for her. I’m not sure if she will make it down to London as her boyfriend is racing in a mountain biking event in the Alps.
“But she will be watching somewhere.
“Hopefully I can make sure there’s an Archibald on the podium. That’s what we’re here for. Considering that I had a medal last time that’s the dream again.”
Had his first ambitions been achieved then Archibald would be competing in the swimming pool rather than the velodrome.
But after realising his, albeit impressive, performances in the pool weren’t going to thrust him onto the international stage the Edinburgh-born athlete turned his attention to cycling. At first it was for enjoyment having got the bug commuting to work in the family business by bike.
Then after seeing his sister bring home medal after medal it lit a fuse inside.
He said: “I was a good Scottish swimmer but not at the next level. When I transferred to cycling – I was commuting to work and picked it up – I realised you don’t have to be as technically proficient like in swimming.
“You can’t take a 20-year-old who has never swum before and take them to be world champion. But in cycling you potentially could.
“The technique element can be learned quite easily. Then seeing all these athletes from your country on TV ... you think ‘well why not me?’”
Archibald answered that question in the Gold Coast four years ago with his silver. Now he’s looking for another medal but realises the competition has got even harder.
He said: “2018 was my first breakthrough. It opened a lot of doors for me mentally. “When I gave up swimming it kind of defeated me a bit thinking that I really wanted it but never got there so when I approached cycling I did with a mindset of enjoying it.
“Suddenly to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games made me start to take things a lot more seriously.
“It’s just about progressing all the time.
“My medal last time was four minutes 13 seconds. Now there’s guys doing four minutes five seconds. My personal best is four mins nine seconds.
“To win a medal, I’ll definitely have to go under that.”
Hopefully I can make sure there’s an Archibald on the podium JOHN ARCHIBALD ON SISTER KATIE MISSING OUT