July 27, 2014

Press Association

Shetland schoolgirl Erraid Davies stole Commonwealth hearts as Scotland stretched its medal haul to 30.

Team Scotland added three silver and two bronze medals to their tally, surpassing the Delhi total of 26 after only four days of competition.

Thirteen-year-old Erraid, Team Scotland's youngest ever Commonwealth competitor, won bronze in the women's 100m breaststroke SB9 final setting a new personal best for the second time in a day.

Sister Vhairi Davies tweeted: "So proud of my baby sister. Bronze at 13. Crying like mad."

Scottish Swimming said Erraid trains in a 16.75m pool in Shetland, a third of the length of the Olympic-sized pool she triumphed in this evening.

Roared on by the Tollcross crowd, she finished just behind Australian silver medallist Madeleine Scott in one minute and 21.38 seconds, with New Zealand's Sophie Pascoe taking gold.

Her hero Hannah Miley also claimed bronze in the women's 200m individual medley, finishing behind England's Siobhan-Marie O'Connor who took gold.

And the host nation almost saved the best until last when their men's 4x200m freestyle relay team pushed hot favourites Australia all the way before claiming a silver amid deafening cheers.

Cyclist Katie Archibald claimed bronze in the women's points race event at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

Erraid and fellow para-sports athlete Aileen McGlynn have been praised for "inspiring generations" on day four of the games.

Scottish Commonwealth Games Secretary Shona Robison said: "This has been another proud day for Team Scotland with fantastic success for our talented athletes in para-sports, cycling and swimming competitions.

"One of the highlights was seeing Team Scotland's youngest ever athlete Erraid Davies win a bronze in the women's para-sport 100m Breaststroke SB9. This Shetland teenager put in a truly courageous performance in the pool.

"I was also delighted to see Hannah Miley add to her Glasgow 2014 gold with a bronze in the individual medley and watch Daniel Wallace, Stephen Milne, Duncan Scott and Robbie Renwick win silver and set a new national record in an exciting men's 4 x 200m freestyle relay final.

"The atmosphere was electric in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome as Aileen McGlynn and Louise Haston clinched their second silver medal of the competition, and Katie Archibald scooped bronze in the points race.

"While Scotland's sporting achievements have been first class, it's tremendous to see the warm welcome athletes from across the Commonwealth have received from crowds.

"There is a really exciting buzz in Scotland at the moment and it's clear the whole country is getting behind the Games.

"Whether it's through cheering on the athletes from the stadiums or from the comfort of their own homes, these impressive performances are inspiring generations of sporting stars in Scotland and the Commonwealth.

"I now look forward to another thrilling mix of friendly but fierce rivalry on Monday with lawn bowlers Alex Marshall and Paul Foster set to lead the charge of medal winners in the pairs final."

Mike Whittingham, performance director at the Sportscotland institute of sport, said: "It has been a terrific start in Glasgow by Team Scotland.

"To surpass the total medal count at Delhi after only four days is incredible. The athletes and the coaches deserve enormous credit and, thanks to Scottish Government and Lottery funding, we now have the most sophisticated high performance system in Scotland ever.

"This collaborative approach between the athletes, coaches, governing bodies of sport, and Sportscotland experts and practitioners is striking gold, silver, and bronze at Glasgow, and to equal Team Scotland's best ever gold medal tally of 11 already and win 30 medals so far is phenomenal."

Read the original article at the Daily Mail website.