Commonwealth Games 2022: Middle-distance runner Matt Stonier ready to make his Team England debut

Matt Stonier admits it still feels surreal to be selected for the Commonwealth Games but is certain of his plan ahead of Team England debut.

The 20-year-old has just completed his second year at Loughborough University and, after a shock win at the Nike Emsley Carr Mile, another surprise was around the corner.

The middle-distance runner got a call from one of his Loughborough coaches who told him he would be representing his country at the Games in Birmingham in the 800m and 1,500m - starting today.

Talking at the Team England Kitting Out day, Stonier acknowledged the news is only starting to sink in.

He said: “This is the first realisation, trying on all the clothes. It’s just so surreal.

“It was quite hard keeping it quiet in front of everyone because they were all hoping to find out.

“Once the news was official it was just amazing, having loads of people congratulate you, people who have followed you on that journey.

“And people who don’t really follow the sport that much, they all know what the Commonwealth Games are.”

Invicta East Kent’s Stonier has been making huge strides in the last couple of years, breaking the four-minute mile barrier at the Nike Emsley Carr Mile.

A month later, he competed at the Muller UK Athletics Championships.

Stonier said: “I know what I’ve got to do at the Commonwealth Games. I’ve got to give myself a chance in that last lap to compete at the top.

“Yes, I want to be there to soak in the atmosphere and take in the whole event, but I am there to compete.”

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