Gravesend’s Sophie Coldwell believes her Commonwealth Games pedigree can help her finish on the podium in Birmingham this summer.

Coldwell competed at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, finishing sixth on her major championship debut.

Having thrived Down Under four years ago, she fancies her chances on home soil.

“When it’s a mixed sport event, and you’re in the athlete village, it is a completely different atmosphere to be a part of,” she said.

“Being in [the] Gold Coast was about going, competing and soaking up all the experience that I could, as well as the atmosphere, learning what it is like to be in a big team environment like that.

“Triathlon is quite a small sports team compared to swimming, cycling or athletics teams.

"Learning about being in a big team and the environment will, hopefully, allow me to put that into practice for this year so I can hopefully win a medal.

“It was a big goal to qualify for the Commonwealths, and especially with them being a home Games, that definitely adds to wanting to be there and wanting to compete.

“Also after the (Covid) pandemic, having people there is one thing, but having people there who will be friends and family makes it even more special to be there and race.”

A home Commonwealth Games is not the only event on home soil Coldwell is looking forward to this year, with the World Triathlon Championship Series in Leeds on June 11 and 12.

Last year’s race in the city was a landmark moment for the 27-year-old, a third-place finish seeing her on a World Series podium for the first time.

Coldwell admits the result helped shed doubts over competing at the highest level and gave her the belief to perform on the world stage.

Having been the Team GB reserve in Tokyo, she is a coiled spring ahead of a busy summer.

She said: “Leeds last year for me was - and definitely will be - one of the best days of my sporting career.

"It was the first time I managed to get on a World Series podium, and all my friends and family were there.

“Before Leeds, I felt like I was able to put out training sessions that were hinting that I should be able to get on the podium but I just hadn’t been able to put it into a race, and it was getting really frustrating.

“It was getting to the point where I was thinking if I would ever be able to put it together into a race, it was close but no cigar.

“Once you have done it, you are like ‘You can do it, you do deserve to be on these start lines, and I am an athlete who can get onto podiums’.”

Swim, bike, run in Britain will have a 2022 to remember with AJ Bell 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds on 11-12 June, triathlon and paratriathlon at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on 29 and 31 July and World Triathlon Para Series Swansea on 6 August. Details at https://www.britishtriathlon.org/events/major-events