England’s Holly Bradshaw says she has pushed her body to the limit in order to compete at her final Commonwealth Games.
The 30-year-old, who won pole vault bronze at last year’s Olympics, snapped her pole in her final practice jump at the world championships in Eugene a little over two weeks ago and was forced to retire injured.
It broke as she planted it in the box and Bradshaw landed awkwardly on the back of her neck while also hurting her arm, back and hamstring.
Bradshaw quit with this summer’s Commonwealth Games and European Championships in mind and she has revealed that she has battled through a partial hamstring tear to make it to Birmingham.
“The last two weeks have been far from how I would normally prepare for a major championships but when life throws you a curve ball you have to pick yourself up and get on with it,” Bradshaw wrote on Twitter.
“I was diagnosed with a partial hamstring tendon tear following my pole break and was torn (excuse the pun) between playing safe or risking it but the thought of missing these games made me feel sick to my stomach!
“So in a bid to get on the start line I pushed my body more than usual and asked of it more than it deserved (which I wouldn’t ever normally do) but I knew this was my last ever opportunity to represent England at the Commonwealth Games so I wasn’t going to let it slip unless forced.
“Today I tentatively vaulted from short approach for the first time since the pole break.
“I might not be back to full approach jumping BUT you will see me on Tuesday proudly wearing the England strip in front of the best fans in the world, with the sole goal to battle my heart out as best I can, given the hand I’ve been dealt and make my team and the whole of England proud (hopefully).
“Massive thank you to @britishathletics and @officialteamengland for the support over the last 2 weeks! You have made my dreams a reality.”
Bradshaw goes for a medal on the opening day of action at Alexander Stadium on Tuesday, where her main rivals for the podium could be Australia’s Nina Kennedy and Canada’s Alysha Newman.
Also in action on Tuesday is England’s Hannah Cockroft, who is bidding to add a Commonwealth medal to her incredible collection – which includes seven Paralympic golds.
The 29-year-old holds the world record over 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m and will be the one to beat in the women’s T33/34 100m competition.
Cockroft is also determined that Birmingham 2022 leaves a lasting legacy, in the same way the London Olympics did 10 years ago.
Birmingham is a new chance to make a new legacy
“Birmingham is a new chance to make a new legacy,” said Cockroft, who will compete at the Commonwealth Games for the first time in her career.
“London 2012 was 10 years ago. I visit schools now and you say ‘do you remember London 2012’ and they go ‘Miss, I was born in 2017’.
“We need to move on from that now and make a new one, so that those kids that weren’t alive in 2012 have something new to look up to and something new to aspire to be.
“London 2012 was really a catalyst for para sport, catapulting it out there and making people pay attention to what we do. Birmingham really needs to jump on that and make the most of it and really drive it forward.”
Source: BC2022
Frederick Marfo is a sportswriter and social worker well known for his advocacy for equal chances and rights for all athletes, especially those with disabilities.
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