Jess Learmonth, from Leeds, who won silver in the women’s triathlon said:
“I’m delighted. I tried to enjoy it as much as I can. It wasn’t that enjoyable on the last lap of the run, with them just behind me, but I can try and enjoy it now.
“We don’t really set out any plan to be honest, but I was kind of lucky that we (Flora Duffy) started together and she got on to my feet and she did a lot of work on the bike, so we just did a bit each and it kind of worked out well.”
Sophie Coldwell, from Nottingham, who came 6thin the women’s Triathlon said:
“It’s a massive experience for me. Everything from training somewhere different to the village experience which I have never been a part of before, so everything is just going to be a massive learning curve. Vicky is really experienced and has medals at major championships and obviously Jess too, so as I say it’s a great learning curve.”
A disappointed Jonny Brownlee, from Leeds, who finished 7thin the men’s event says:
“I just didn’t feel great. I’ve had lots of ups and downs coming in to this race but I thought I could go better than that day. When I started riding I felt good, and I’m normally one of the strongest ones on the bike but I just didn’t feel great today. When I started running I thought ‘Oh dear, I’m in trouble here’ and I tried to stay in the medals as long as I could but it wasn’t to be.
“I kind of expected (that Ali would fall away) – I know what he’s done in terms of training in the last few months and he’s not done a lot of running. I knew Henry was in good shape and my first thought was to go with him, but I couldn’t. So I tried to hold on to the guys behind and they came past but I had given it my all by then.”
Ali Brownlee, from Leeds, who came 10th, said:
“I absolutely gave it my all, and I even had a sprint finish at the end for 10th place.
“It [calf] feels good, it feels absolutely fine. I wouldn’t have been spinning at the end if it didn’t feel alright. And obviously I had the relay in the back of my mind, so I definitely didn’t want to cause any damage for the rest of the season ahead of me.
“One of the only times I’ve ever lead out of a swim in my whole career, I hate people for saying this but that’s a positive I can take out of it. I biked as hard as I could to get that gap up for myself and to get the event for Jonny.
“[On trying to break out from the front] Had the gap gone out a bit longer, and Jonny had longer from the guys behind, it would have settled down then I would have had a go.”
Tom Bishop finished 19thin the men’s event, and the Derby-born triathlete said:
“I was just racing defensively hoping that Jonny and I would sort of implement a tactic to get away but about half way round I had a little spill, I think I hit the rail I’m not too sure what happened. I had a crash which kind of went to my head, I just wanted to get round and finish the race I didn’t want to have a DNF to my name.
“The roads were fine, I think I just hit a grate or something, but one of the guys in front of me’s back wheel went out but he saved it and I just reacted and slammed the brakes. I’ve just got a few grazes, it’s not too bad.
“I wanted to challenge for a medal. Mark, who came third today which I’m absolutely delighted for, I’ve been training with him and pushing each other hard, so that’s the sort of shape I’m in. I just couldn’t get it right today. I’m very disappointed. I think that Jonny and Alistair will be very much the same, we’re trying to go here and go and get medals, but what went through my head is save what I could if I make the relay team or not, so you’ve just got to think about the other options. Just happy to finish today.
“[On training leading up to GC) I had a bit of a hiccup, I hurt my foot as well but that sort of recovered, I missed a bit of training but not too much, not enough to impact my fitness here. It was more of a mistake by me which caused the disappointment for my race.
“[On decisions for the mixed team) We won’t decide about it yet, I think we’ll have a meeting with the team and just put the best option forward in terms of our tactics, as we have a really strong girls’ team. I’m sure we’ll do right battling for gold on Saturday.”
Katherine Rednall, from Ipswich, suffered defeat in her first Lawn Bowls match but bounced back with a 21-11. Following the first match, she said:
“Disappointed I wasn’t slightly more consistent [In her first match]. If I had played another 5/10% better, I probably would have got more out of that. I thought I was unlucky throughout the game really and I had a few bad results and she was more fortunate. It didn’t go at the right time for me and she played really well so I’ve got to go in to the next one now and prepare for the rest. There were a few situations in the game where it could have gone differently for me but I’ll forget that now and go in to the next.”
Following her second match, Rednall added:
“That was more like it. I had to put it behind me and I was really happy with how I played there and I managed to find the lines a lot better. Tomorrow is a big one for me so I’ll go in to that one tomorrow fully fit and raring to go.”
Nottingham-based Kelly Sibley who started her Table Tennis tournament with a win said:
“Very positive start for me to get off the mark and to win 3-0 in my first match is really positive for me. We’ve been here over a week and a half and we were raring to go and all three of us put in a strong performance and really looking forward to this afternoon. I feel like the whole atmosphere here is really good – it’s my fourth Games – and it’s a multi-sport competition that we really experience. To come back to Australia after taking part in Melbourne all those years ago is pretty special.”
London-born Laura Stephens went through comfortably in her swimming qualifiers, saying:
“Yeah I am really happy with that to start and to flesh out the nerves and I feel a bit more settled now. There’s a great atmosphere out there and you can hear the crowd roaring so it’s just nice to be able to put in a performance for them. It’s good to know where I am at now and get through the rounds and keep progressing. I am happy with where I am at and I’ll just keep enjoying it.”
Tom Hamer, from Burnley, who also comfortably went through said:
“I didn’t want to work too hard ahead of the final so I stayed back a bit and let the other guys take the glory.
“[On watching films as preparation] So last night I watched Pretty Woman – I don’t know why that film in particular but me and my Mum have watched it before and it’s a nice reminder of home and it’s an easy film to watch. I know it word by word!
“I’m not even sure what time I did yet so it’s hard to say, but I need to go back out tonight and do what I do best and try and break that world record which I’ve previously held.”
Ellie Robinson, MBE, from Northampton, also qualified and said:
“Now it’s all about getting some food and rest and getting ready for the final. It’s turning in to a bit of a thing now (wearing a jacket in warm up) but you’ve got to stay warm and stay ready for the race so anything that helps me to swim well.”
Southport’s Holly Hibbott who won her qualifier said:
“I’ve done a lot of speed work this year, so focusing on my 200m and 400m and that will hopefully help my 800m and that seems to be working. I’ve still done enough to keep my back end up so I’m pleased with that. It’s (the CW games) an amazing place and an amazing venue so really looking forward to it. It’s my first international meet of this level so it’s really exciting.”
Tin-Tin, from London, on her first table tennis match of the Games and said:
“I was pleased with that match because I was nervous beforehand but I was relaxed. Everyone here can play good table tennis so we need to prepare as well as we can and I’ll get some rest now and come back ready.”