Australia Keeps Commonwealth Games Expectations In Check

(ATR) Australia's chef de mission says not to expect the country's success at the last Commonwealth Games to repeat itself at next month's event in Glasgow.

"The Australian public needs to be realistic and understand this will be a very challenging games to have the success they take for granted and expect at a Commonwealth Games," Australian team chef de mission Steve Moneghetti said.

Australia will get a stiff test from England, which is sending12 gold medalists from London 2012 to Glasgow.

Moneghetti isn’t totally hopeless about Australia’s chances at Glasgow 2014, however.

"I think ... the pressure's been slightly removed. Now we're in a position to prove our worth again," said Moneghetti.

"There's a real excitement among our athletes about what we can do."

The Commonwealth Games open in Glasgow on July 23.

Peer Program for Australian Athletes

The Australian Olympic Committee launched Champ Connect, a peer support program for Australian athletes competing in the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

Champ Connect connects Australian Olympians with members of the 2014 Australian Youth Olympic team for an eight-week mentoring program. Participants share experiences both online and in person.

So far, more than 60 Olympians have volunteered for the program.

"It is wonderful to see so many Olympians wanting to be involved and support our future Olympians," Australian Youth Olympic Games chef de mission and Olympic medalist Susie O’Neill said.

"I think it is their way of showing they want to give something back."

Australia will send approximately 90 athletes to compete in 23 sports at the Summer Youth Olympics, taking place in Nanjing, China from August 16 to August 28.

Written by Andrew Murrell

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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