Going for gold at Glasgow 2014

Badminton player, Kirsty Gilmour, 14, told the BBC Scotland news website that she was dreaming of winning a gold medal in front of a home crowd.

" I started playing when I was five years old. Badminton runs in the family.

My uncle David played for Scotland and took part in three Commonwealth Games. And my dad, Brian, is a coach.

I love playing badminton because I get to go new places, meet new people and make lasting friendships.

But mostly I love winning. There's just this real rush you get. It feels amazing. Once you get a taste for it you just can't stop. You want to keep playing.

I've won a few national titles. Last year I was the Under 15 girls singles and doubles champion. This year I won the doubles again.

I'm probably ranked 3rd or 4th best player for my age in Britain.

"My ultimate aim would be to win the gold medal. It would be unbelievable to get to that stage, to know that after training so hard for it I had finally done it"

I've also played a few European tournaments and I got to the quarter finals of the most recent one.

It's an unbelievable feeling when I win in these competitions. I get such a rush from knowing I'm the best at my sport.

Just playing at the Olympics in London in 2012 and then at the Commonwealth Games - hopefully in Glasgow - in 2014 would be really amazing.

But winning a medal at one of these events would be even better.

My ultimate aim would be to win the gold medal. It would be unbelievable to get to that stage, to know that after training so hard for it I had finally done it.

To play and win in front of a home crowd in Glasgow would really make a difference. My friends and family wouldn't have to watch me on the TV, they could come and see me do it for real.

My training schedule is pretty intense. I'm a pupil at the Glasgow School of Sport which means I get plenty of opportunity to practice.

I do eight hours of badminton a week, plus two hours of weights at school. Then I train for four hours at night at Scotstoun.

It means I'm training every day and every night, and then competing at weekends.

But I believe you get out of the sport what you put in. And I do get the occasional wee day off if I feel sore or I need a rest.

I think to be a great athlete you need to train as hard as you can but you also have to know when to stop and take a break.

Only then can you really improve and be among the best at your sport. "

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Glasgow School of Sport
Glasgow 2014
Abuja 2014
Commonwealth Games Federation
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