Most teenagers celebrate their 18th birthday by having a party with their friends.
But Scottish swimmer and SSE Next Generation athlete Rachael O’Donnell will mark her 18th by taking part in the Opening Ceremony for the Commonwealth Games.
Rachael, from Dunfermline, Fife, is one of the youngest members of Team Scotland, competing in the 4X200m and 4X100m freestyle relays at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
She will be part of the 310-strong team parading into Celtic Park for the Opening Ceremony.
At first the birthday girl thought she might have been the victim of a prank - after she was called up to represent her country shortly after April Fool’s Day.
Rachael said: “I did make a joke about it being a prank as it was early in April.
“The letter congratulated me and told me about what was to come - it felt amazing.
“My parents were very proud and we celebrated by going out for a meal with my friends.”
Rachael has been part of SSE’s Next Generation programme since August 2013. It is supporting 100 budding athletes with the vital financial and developmental help needed to allow them to fulfil their ambitions.
Each of the talented athletes receives £1,000 to fund training, travelling to competitions and buying sports equipment alongside training and mentoring support from Olympic athletes including Sir Chris Hoy and diver Leon Taylor.
The funding means Rachael is able to devote between 20-23 hours a week to training, thanks to SSE.
And her dedication has paid off with her reaching her first ever Commonwealth Games.
“I do the training because I want to be the best,” she said.
“You have to distance yourself from pressure and not let it get to you. If you focus on your race then you will achieve your best.”
Being part of The Opening Ceremony represents the culmination of 14 years of hard work.
Rachael said: “I find racing thrilling and you feel alive when you’re in the pool. I’ve always loved water, from an early age. I love all sorts of water sports.
“I am very competitive and would race my mum up and down the pool when I was four.
“To be a champion it takes extreme determination and focus. I love swimming and the will to win inspires me.”
As a Proud Partner of Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, SSE is getting behind four of the Home Nation teams - Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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