Following his bronze medal success at the London 2012 Olympics, gymnast Daniel Purvis is already focussing his attentions on making his Commonwealth Games debut in Glasgow; and hopefully adding to his medal collection.

Dan said: “It would be fantastic to compete in Glasgow. It’s the next major competition on home soil and competing for Scotland in Glasgow would be incredible. It would be my first Commonwealth Games and combined with being in Scotland it would make it even better to get on that podium. I can’t wait.”

Dan missed the 2010 Games in Delhi due to a clash with the World Championships where he won bronze on floor, meaning Glasgow would be his first taste of competing with Team Scotland. And having won a team bronze in London, he knows all too well what impact a home crowd can have.

“Going into that arena in London and that team final especially was something I’ve never experienced in the sport and it was all about being on home soil” he says. “Stepping out into the arena, the crowd just erupted and as the competition went on the more they got behind us. You have family, friends, people you haven’t seen for ages supporting you, which is amazing. It’s just a case of concentrating and trying to focus in that moment.”

The support from the home crowd in Glasgow will undoubtedly be incredible and Team Scotland wants the whole country to get behind the athletes. Having last competed in Scotland at the Glasgow World Cup in December 2012, where he won all-round bronze, Dan is well aware of the passion for sport in the city.

Dan said: “Having my friends and family behind me as well as the amazing Scottish crowd would be brilliant. Having the crowd behind us is going to make the Commonwealth Games. I came up after the Olympics for the parade round the city and the buzz was amazing. It’ll be great to keep that buzz going and for the younger ones to have that experience. The World Cup after the Olympics was brilliant. I’ve never heard it so loud and it was great for the support.”

The next few months will be spent focussing on qualification for the Games, and Dan is relishing the opportunity of lining up for Team Scotland, and knows how important unity will be in Glasgow.

You can follow Dan on Twitter @PurvisDanny

Photo Credit: Alistair Devine