Paula’s 17 sports challenge
A SELF-confessed couch potato is celebrating after completing a challenge to try out every sport at Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games.
For the last 22 months, Paula McGuire travelled the country learning how to do all 17 sports that will feature at the Games.
Along the way she had to learn how to ride a bike as well as conquer a lifelong fear of water in order to learn how to swim.
Her challenge has led to her landing a slot presenting her own segment on BBC Radio Scotland every day during the Games.
She will also carry the Queen’s Baton along Cowcaddens Road in Glasgow today and star in the Opening Ceremony.
Paula was delighted after she tried her final sport, rugby sevens, with the Scotland squad in Stirling on Friday.
She said:“I’m happy I’ve completed the challenge but at the same time I’m sad as I enjoyed doing it.
“I overcame my shy nature and anxiety. I’m unrecognisable from who I was two years ago.”
Paula, 33, from Glasgow, set herself the challenge after she was inspired by the 2012 London Olympics. It was the first time she’d ever taken an interest in sport.
Paula readily admits she avoided PE at school by hiding, leaving her kit at home, forging notes or feigning illness.
At school, teachers felt so sorry for her they gave her sports day off and had her rake the sand in the long jump pit every week so she wouldn’t have to take part in athletics.
However, her attitude to life and sport has been transformed.
She said:“I used to be a nervous wreck but now I talk on radio and have gone into schools to chat about my challenge.” One is on the cusp of school exams.
The other has weathered the storms of life.
But while there’s a 45- year gulf between Team Scotland’s oldest and youngest athletes both are hoping for success this summer.
At just 13, Shetland para- sport swimmer Erraid Davies has only just finished her second year at secondary school and goes into the Games as Scotland’s youngest-ever competitor.
The swimming sensation will face a strong – and much older – field in the 100 metre breaststroke.
The schoolgirl, who only has half a left hipbone, said: “I’m going into the Games purely hoping for a personal best.
“That’s all I can hope for. I smashed my last record in the trials for the Games where I did it in one minute 26 seconds.
“I’m actually very relaxed about the Games. I’ll probably get nervous the closer it gets.
“My family are chuffed and my mum and dad are both coming down to watch.
“My uncle and auntie will be in the crowd too.”
Erraid has already overcome her nerves in the lead up to the Games.
The third- year pupil – who was born in Dundee – said: “I didn’t tell my classmates I had qualified for the Games.
“My family knew and I told a handful of pals but I was extremely nervous about telling everyone else at school.
“It all came out when I carried the Queen’s baton through Shetland.
“The reaction has been great – I just hope I do everyone proud.”
On the other side of the age spectrum is golden oldie Margaret Letham who is hoping to land first place for a second time.
She first won the medal 16 years ago – three years before Erraid was born.
But the lawn bowls superstar knows what it’s like to be a young upstart in her chosen sport.
Bowls queen Margaret, 58, said: “I don’t think of 58 as particularly old – in fact I’ve just turned 58!
“I took up the sport at 15 when my dad took me along.
“I was one of the youngest back then.
“I’ve seen huge changes in lawn bowls over that time.
“It’s gone from being a fuddy- duddy sport to very much up-andcoming.
“More and more young people are playing it and that’s great for its future.”
Incredibly, Glasgow 2014 will be Margaret’s fifth Commonwealth Games.
The Bothwell bowler won gold in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, one of only two golds Team Scotland won at the Games.
The other top spot went to boxer Alex Arthur.
She said: “That was an amazing experience and one I’ll treasure.
“Standing on the podium listening to your national anthem is like nothing else.
“I’ve fond memories
of the Games but there were a couple of problems too.
“The food wasn’t great and I remember being offered chicken feet, complete with hair on them!
“For the next two weeks I stuck to eating cornflakes for my dinner!
“The Games have gotten slicker every time but they’ve all been brilliant experiences.”
Margaret has fond memories of competing around the world and picks out Me l b o u r n e and Manchester as her favourite Games.
She said: “Melbourne was well organised and extremely friendly, as was Manchester.
“Dehli was criticised heavily in the press before we went but I had no problems at all.
“But it’s only been Malaysia I’ve ever won a medal and that’s something I’m determined to correct in Glasgow.
“I hope the home crowd, with my husband in it, will inspire me to victory.
“It’s funny even with five Games behind me I’m getting more and more nervous in the days leading up to Glasgow.
“I hope my experience will mean I’ll be able to handle the pressure.”
Jon Doig, of Team Scotland, said: “One of the major attractions of the Commonwealth Games is getting to mix and be part of a bigger team with athletes from other sports, and of all ages.
“Athletes and their coaches get to swap experiences and pick up tips from seeing how different sports prepare.
“From Margaret Letham to Erraid Davis, there is a diversity of knowledge and experience in Team Scotland but with the common thread that everyone is there to support each other to perform at their best at these Games.”