Aussies target less gold, wary of England

Will be relying on their swimmers for a kick-start at the mega event.

SYDNEY: Australia have topped the medals count at the last six Commonwealth Games and are expected to do so again in Glasgow although with a reduced number of medals, according to team officials.

Australia came away with 178 medals, 74 of them gold, at the last Games in Delhi in 2010, but team officials are expecting a smaller total because of fewer medal events than four years ago.

The federal government-backed Australian Sports Commission is targeting a total of 152 medals in Glasgow through its Winning Edge strategy programme.

Australian Commonwealth Games Association President Sam Coffa said it will be difficult for Australia to surpass or match their Delhi total in Scotland this time.

“There are 11 fewer medal events in Glasgow than there were in Delhi, 261 as against 272,” said Coffa. “More athletes will compete for fewer medals.

“We also expect increased opposition home nations’ teams [England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland], all of which received significant amounts of preparation funding for both the London 2012 Olympic Games the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“India can also be expected to have a carry-over benefit from the home Games in Delhi.”

Once again Australia  will be looking to their swimmers for a kick-start to the event with a target of between 53 and 55 medals in the pool.

The Australians have sent a powerful team of swimmers, including reigning world champions Cate Campbell, Christian Sprenger and James Magnussen. AFP

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2014.

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