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Interview: Isobel Pooley "elated" with high jump silver for England

Isobel Pooley tells Sports Mole that she is elated to pick up silver in the women's high jump at the Commonwealth Games.

Isobel Pooley has revealed that she is "elated" to have picked up silver for England in the women's high jump at the Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old registered a new personal best of 1.92m on her way to the podium in Glasgow, failing to reach the next bar but just edging out the more ambitious Levern Spencer, who was forced to settle for bronze.

Sports Mole caught up with Pooley moments after the result to find out how silver felt.

Isobel Pooley celebrates with the England flag after winning silver in the women's high jump on August 1, 2014© Getty Images

Congratulations! Can you sum up how you're feeling right now?

"Elated. Absolutely elated. I have found some more self-belief in this competition and that's what it's all about, so I've backed that up with my PB. A new PB of 1.92m and a silver medal! I've been asking people 'did I really clear that?' I just can't imagine that it's true but it will sink in slowly, I'm sure.

"Massive thanks to my coach because he's got me into this amazing shape and this amazing place where I can just go for it and those results come. And that's why I don't remember it so much - it was just a leap of faith, I just went for it, and then all of a sudden I was on the bed and the crowd was going mental. It took a few seconds for me to register it."

You told us the other day that you wouldn't have been ready for London but you were ready for this. Does this just prove that to yourself?

"Yes. This just proves that I belong on this stage. I've been made to feel so welcome in Glasgow - all of the athletes have. The volunteers, all the staff, the officials have been fantastic. A massive thanks to them and respect to the hard work they've put in and how cheerful they've been throughout the whole experience.

"I can't wait to get back to the Village and share my success with the medical team and the physios, because they've all done so much work behind the scenes to even get me to this point here and we're not done yet."

Tonight you made your first few jumps the first time. Does that just help with your confidence going through the final?

"I had a fantastic time out there. I really enjoyed it. And that's what everyone's advice has been - go out there and enjoy it and you'll do well. The qualifying on Wednesday was a fantastic warm-up, I suppose in terms of just getting the crowd on side. And they were phenomenal, absolutely astounding support.

"There was such a massive English contingent but I'm pretty sure all the Scots were shouting for me too. So to be honest with you, when I left on Wednesday I couldn't wait to be back! When I just left the stadium just now I said 'I don't want to leave, I just want to be with these people forever!'

"But to be honest, the two most important people in the audience apart from my coach was my mum and dad. They gave me the biggest hug ever. I'm still the same person tomorrow as I was today. Yes I've got silver round my neck, but it's a great testament to where I could go that I've got this around my neck at my first Games. So hopefully the next one will be even better!"

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Written by
Barney Corkhill
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England's Isobel Pooley competing during the women's high jump qualification on July 30, 2014
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