Interview with Eilidh Child following her victory at Hampden Park

As dress rehearsals go Eilidh Child couldn’t have asked for much more from the Sainsbury’s Glasgow Grand Prix – but she admits she will need to find another gear when she returns to Hampden Park for the Commonwealth Games, writes Ben Baker.

Child was getting a sneak peek of what she can expect in just over a fortnight’s time as she took to the Hampden Park track on Friday evening.

And she clearly liked what she saw as she not only won the 400m hurdles but did so with in a season’s best of 54.39.

However, while the race featured a handful of her Commonwealth Games rivals, Jamaican and world number one Kaliese Spencer was not racing.

And while delighted with her race, Child is fully aware that she will need to turn it up another notch if she is to climb the Commonwealth Games podium on her Hampden Park return.

“I am delighted to have got that win but I think that has technically been my best race of the year,” said Child.

“I just smashed my stride pattern and everything was smooth so I am just more delighted with how everything went. Obviously I am delighted to have won but I am more happy with how I executed the race.

“But none of the big names were there so I can’t rest on that race too much, there is still a lot that needs to be done.

“I am really confident that I will need to smash my PB to win but I have got to be happy with how things are going and if I keep running races like that then I cant be too disappointed with how it goes.

“I think when you have a bit more pressure on you it can make you raise your game and I like to think it does for me so hopefully come the Games it will help me raise my game again.”

Child could be excused for feeling the pressure ahead of the Commonwealth Games, considering she has been something of a poster girl for the competition.

But after getting a taste of things to come she admits she can’t wait to get back out there.

“I didn’t expect such a loud cheer at the start and the stadium wasn’t even full so to have that I just think it will be amazing in a couple of weeks at the Games,” she added.

“And the track was really good and it felt really fast, and speaking to a couple of the other guys they said the same thing so it should make for a really exciting competition.”

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