Gravesend triathlete Sophie Coldwell believes Commonwealth Games pedigree can help her finish on the podium in Birmingham

Gravesend’s Sophie Coldwell believes her Commonwealth Games pedigree can help her finish on the podium in Birmingham this summer.

Coldwell competed at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, finishing sixth on her major championship debut.

Having thrived Down Under four years ago, she fancies her chances on home soil.

“When it’s a mixed sport event, and you’re in the athlete village, it is a completely different atmosphere to be a part of,” she said.

“Being in [the] Gold Coast was about going, competing and soaking up all the experience that I could, as well as the atmosphere, learning what it is like to be in a big team environment like that.

“Triathlon is quite a small sports team compared to swimming, cycling or athletics teams.

"Learning about being in a big team and the environment will, hopefully, allow me to put that into practice for this year so I can hopefully win a medal.

“It was a big goal to qualify for the Commonwealths, and especially with them being a home Games, that definitely adds to wanting to be there and wanting to compete.

“Also after the (Covid) pandemic, having people there is one thing, but having people there who will be friends and family makes it even more special to be there and race.”

A home Commonwealth Games is not the only event on home soil Coldwell is looking forward to this year, with the World Triathlon Championship Series in Leeds on June 11 and 12.

Last year’s race in the city was a landmark moment for the 27-year-old, a third-place finish seeing her on a World Series podium for the first time.

Coldwell admits the result helped shed doubts over competing at the highest level and gave her the belief to perform on the world stage.

Having been the Team GB reserve in Tokyo, she is