Commonwealth Games: Hewitt and Scotsman in line for first medals

Andrea Hewitt, one of the New Zealand Elite athletes. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A New Zealander is in line to win the first medal of the Commonwealth Games.

Andrea Hewitt will start among the leading contenders in the women's triathlon which kicks off the 20th Games.

But what of the hosts? Their hopes of a memorable start to their Games rest on the broad shoulders of a son of the city, who also happens to be the fastest 200m breaststroke swimmer on the planet.

Michael Jamieson will have the expectations of his nation weighing on him when he steps on to the blocks at the Tollcross complex, the pool in which he learned to swim.

He is a 25-year-old with a history of seconds: at New Delhi four years ago; at the London Olympics in 2012; and both the world and European short course finals.

This is his time and it seems circumstances have conspired to put him in the spotlight.

Is it a coincidence that his premier event's final is positioned on the opening night of Games competition?

Then there's the photo of the man on the cover of the official Games guide, who also happens to be a Glasgow 2014 ambassador.

So how would you feel in his shoes on Friday morning? A touch apprehensive, perhaps.

Especially so considering last November his heart had to be shocked back by medics after going into arrhythmia following a particularly gruelling workout.

Indeed, not only is Jamieson aiming to bring the nation to its feet, he wants to do it in world record time. The last Scot to set a world record, coincidentally in the same discipline, was David Wilkie in 1973.

That mark stands at 2min 07.01s, set by Japan's Akihiro Yamaguchi in 2012. Jamieson's best is just .42s behind that. He is the quickest swimmer this year, top of the world.

Jamieson reckons this is the biggest event of his career.

"I think everyone has a sense of identity and pride over where they're from, but Scots would always say that it's a bit stronger there," he said.

"It's the biggest race of my life, no doubt about it."

He'll have tough challengers, including his training partner, Andrew Willis of England, and former world recordholder, Australian Christian Sprenger. Nevertheless ...

"I want to take responsibility and step up on the first day and deliver a personal best, and if I do that, that's all I can do."