ICG success still hasn’t sunk in for Emma

Aug 1 2012 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

WHITEMOSS Athletic Club member Emma Canning admits her silver medal win at the International Children’s Games in South Korea still hasn’t sunk in.

The 15-year-old finished runner-up in the girls’ long jump at the ‘mini-Olympics’, which took place between July 12 and 17, but she still can’t believe her success after believing she would miss out on a medal.

Emma, who also competed in the high jump and 4x100m relay in Daegu, told the News: “I was just going to South Korea for the vital experience the Games would give me and my main aim was to get a personal best in the long jump – so winning silver is a huge bonus.

“I never thought I’d go there and win a medal – I wasn’t expecting to achieve anything like I did – so it’s still not sunk in yet.

“My personal best before ICG was 5.27 metres so to jump 5.42m for silver was a big increase and I’m really proud of that.

“I just missed a PB in the high jump, but I’m still delighted with my performances overall.

“And I’d like to say a big thanks to my coach Iain McEwan who took time out from his holiday and came with his wife to support me so I’m grateful to them for coming out and cheering me on.”

It was another successful games for Team Lanarkshire, 12 months on from when Lanarkshire itself welcomed the world’s up-and-coming athletes.

With a group of 18 youngsters making the trip, the team took home six medals with gold coming in the boys’ football, silvers in athletics, swimming and taekwondo as well as bronze in swimming and taekwondo.

And Emma has fond memories of the whole experience.

She added: “South Korea was great and we got a lot of support from everyone involved.

“Athletes from different countries came to watch the different events and cheer our team on.

“At the end of my long jump event I was interviewed by South Korean TV so that was pretty cool.

“It was a great games for Lanarkshire and we did really well considering we had quite a small squad.

“It was a fantastic experience and if I got the chance to do it again I would love to.”