There is nothing more exciting than seeing our very own EDI Ambassador, Paralympian Olivia Breen compete in her third Commonwealth Games.
The STR Group value Olivia’s support and will be watching and cheering as she competes in the 100m race at 10:25 tomorrow. Come on Livvy!
Olivia supports the STR Group with our EDI objectives and works with us to drive initiatives forward. Olivia is instrumental in educating our employees on the importance of equality, diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace.
In the lead up to the big event, Olivia has shared with us a little about how she’s feeling, her training and more.
I am so excited to be competing at my third Commonwealth Games and the fact that it is effectively a home games makes it even more exciting as family and friends will be there to watch and support us.
Where are you based for the commonwealth games?
I came to the village with a small number of the Welsh team on Wednesday – the rest of the Welsh athletics team arrived on Saturday. It’s a different games this time as the various sports are scattered around the country. The Athletics teams are all based at Birmingham University.
The Commonwealth Games is the one international sporting event where disabled sports are integrated into the programme with the able-bodied ones and I love it as we are all part of one big team. Whilst I think the Olympics and Paralympics should remain separate, it is so much fun all competing together at the Commonwealth Games.
Each country lives in a block of university accommodation. The Welsh block is near the South African block which is great as so many of my para friends are on the South African team. All the various countries eat together in one big eating hall so it is very easy to make friends.
How does it feel to be back competing after covid?
Things seem much more normal here than they did in Tokyo last year where we all wore masks and did daily Covid tests and there were no supporters. Here we had to do a PCR on entry to the village and one 14 days and 3 days before so it is much more relaxed.
How was your training leading up to the commonwealth games?
I have had a good season coming into the Games and ran a PB a couple of weeks ago in 100m so I am feeling in a good place as I prepare for my race. I have trained so hard this year – we have slightly changed my training and it has really paid off. I am also concentrating on watching videos of my starts and other races this year as part of my preparation.
I just need to keep calm, trust in the work my coaches as I have done all year and execute the race following my race plan. I am super excited! My heat will be at 10.25 am on Tuesday 2nd August and then final is at 19.55 the same day. Hopefully both will be on BBC1! Bring it on! I can’t wait!