Team England's Jodie Williams has admitted that she is under "massive pressure" to succeed, having been dubbed the future of British sprinting.
Williams was dominant throughout the juniors and enters the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as one of the frontrunners for a place on the podium.
The 20-year-old cruised to victory in her 200m heat at Hampden Park this evening, jogging over the line in first place with a time of 23.42s.
After the race, she spoke to Sports Mole about her performance, her hopes for Glasgow and the level of pressure she is under as a prodigy on the track.
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Well done Jodie - that's about as comfortable as it gets!
"It was nice. I'm happy that it could be that comfortable. This late at night is not the time you want to be running fast, because it's freezing out there. Hence the attire! But no, I'm happy that I got through."
Was that simply a case of getting the job done while expending as little energy as possible?
"Definitely. Today's literally just about getting through the rounds. I wanted to win to get a good lane for the semi-final so that's what I went out and did, just executed the bend, and expend as little energy as possible."
There is a genuine chance of a medal here for you, but are these Games as much about building experience as they are finishing on the podium?
"Definitely. This is my first senior champ where I was in the mix. Obviously [the World Championships] last year I wasn't really in shape and never really challenging for medals but this Commonwealth Games, I think I've been ranked second, so I could actually be challenging for medals depending on how I'm feeling going through the rounds and how everyone steps up.
"It's nice to kind of be at that top level and have that experience."
You've come through the junior ranks with the likes of Adam Gemili and Laura Weightman, who have both won silver here in Glasgow. Does that provide even more inspiration to make the step up to being a senior medal contender?
"Yeah, it's massively inspiring. To see Adam in transition through the juniors and the seniors - we literally have been to every competition together. Laura Weightman did absolutely amazingly and it's great to see the shock on their faces at the end of the race.
"I'd absolutely love to follow suit, but you never know until you get into the semi-finals and see what people are really going to do."
You missed out on the London Olympics in 2012. Does that make you more eager to make the most of this experience?
"Definitely, I'm trying to soak up every little bit that I can get. Just really coming here to enjoy it."
You've been billed as the future of British sprinting. How much pressure does that put on your shoulders?
"Massive amounts of pressure! But you know, it's something that's going to happen if you're running well so I take it as a compliment that people think that I'm doing well and progressing well. It is a lot of pressure but it's nice to be back really."
And do you see these Games as an important milestone in your career?
"Definitely. This year just feels amazing so far so to top it off with something special here would be unspeakable really."
Williams will race in the semi-finals tomorrow evening as she looks to book her place in the final later that night.
Barney Corkhill
