Commonwealth Games thrill for Moray athlete
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MORAY triathlon star Sophia Green is back in the UK following an "amazing" experience as part of the Scotland Commonwealth Games squad.
Sophia, 18, travelled to the Australian Gold Coast after being selected as reserve for the four-strong triathlon mixed relay team.
Although she didn't have the chance to compete, it was a fantastic opportunity for the teenager who has now set her sights on winning a place to represent Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England.
Sophia, from Elgin, is a member of Moray Firth Triathlon club and in the past has also been a member of Moray Road Runners, Elgin Amateur Swimming Club and Elgin Cycling Club to help her excel in her multi-sport event.
She said: "It was just amazing to be over there training with the triathlon squad and meeting all the other Team Scotland athletes.
"We had a week preparing together on the Sunshine Coast before heading to the Gold Coast and it was great to be in that team environment and meet gymnasts, netball players and other Scottish athletes."
Sophia had the chance to see the mixed relay team – made up of Erin Wallace, Beth Potter, Marc Austin and Grant Sheldon – come seventh in the competition.
She was also delighted to see Marc take the bronze medal for Scotland in the men's individual event.
She said: "It was good to see the standards of the athletes out there and to be part of Team Scotland.
"The training was very different in Australia as it was extremely hot at about 30C and, while I didn't end up being needed for the relay, it was a useful experience to watch all the races and just brilliant to see Marc come third."
Sophia switched her studies from Elgin Academy to Beaconhurst School in Stirlingshire in 2016.
She is a scholarship student there, giving her the flexibility to keep up with her school studies while pursuing her triathlon goals.
She is now studying for her Higher exams and is back to her usual triathlon training sessions.
One of her future ambitions is to be on the start line for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, which are being held in Birmingham.
Sophia took up triathlon aged 13 after competing at a high level in swimming and racing in cross-country events.
She joined the Triathlon Scotland Foundation Squad four years ago and trains with national coaches at the University of Stirling combining early morning swims with after-school run and bike sessions.
She was picked as reserve for the Commonwealth Games squad following an assessment camp while training in Portugal this year – a major achievement for the young athlete.
