Glasgow Crowd Will Help Olympian Robbie Renwick at Commonwealth Games

Contribution by Paul Smith, Sportsbeat

LONDON, England, April 30. ROBBIE Renwick believes a home crowd will spur him on to retain his Commonwealth Games title. The Scottish swimmer won 200m freestyle gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and will bid to defend it at Glasgow 2014. The multi-sporting event is hosted every four years.

The 24-year-old 200 meter freestyle British record holder was speaking at the launch of this year's Bank of Scotland Local Heroes scheme from the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, which will be a Games venue. And he believes the experience of competing for Team GB at London 2012 will stand him in good stead for the pressures of Glasgow.

“We have been really fortunate to have a home Olympics and now a home Commonwealth Games so it is really exciting for us,” he said. “I live and train in Glasgow and everyone is getting really excited for the Olympic Games. There is a real buzz around town and it is a really motivating factor day in, day out.”

“We train really, really hard and it is just trying to get the best out of myself every day so I can get on top of that podium again. Having the experience of a home crowd at the London Olympics I am definitely going to use that for the Commonwealth Games next year.”

“Whether it is making a final, getting on the podium or winning the gold medal everyone has their own goals in mind and for me it is getting on that podium and winning my gold medal back.”

As part of Bank of Scotland's London 2012 legacy, Bank of Scotland Local Heroes, in partnership with SportsAid, will provide support and funding to 82 emerging Scottish athletes in 2013. Over 220 Local Heroes have benefited from the program since 2008. Follow Scotland's future stars at facebook.com/bankofscotlandlocalheroes

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