The Commonwealth games start in Delhi on Sunday and Mark McCammon is sitting back visualising that it could have been him in the starting blocks running the 200 metres for England.

Writing for the KM Group, Mark (pictured) reflects on what might have been.

It was one of the hardest decisions in my life to choose football over athletics.

Life, in my opinion, is about decision making and I chose to go through the path to become a footballer.

Being a runner is completely different to football as it is individual. It’s pure and utter self motivation. Sometimes I felt isolated and lonely whilst training by myself and that’s what gave me the inner drive as a sportsman.

It was great to run against the likes of Dwain Chambers and Christian Malcolm when there were the big meetings like the Three As and the indoor competitions. I also met an idol of mine ever since I was young in Linford Christie. It was an honour to be associated with such athletes at that time.

I started athletics at around eight years of age and it was about learning basic running techniques and sprinting drills. My coach at the time tried his best to make it fun and most importantly enjoyable, because when you are at such a tender age it is easy to get distracted. It’s the same with football.

I went on to represent Middlesex at the English Schools and ran for England in the 200 metres. The quickest I have ever clocked was 21.67 secs in an open meeting.

So it was decision time for me at the age of 17 as I got offered a YTS scholarship at Cambridge United football club after successful trials. This sport was also my pride and joy.

I chose the football option and started my pro career at Cambridge.

Football is a team game and my mentality changed so that I would never let my teammates or manager down. Training was also completely different, involving ball skills, team shape etcetera.

Motivation in football is far from similar. You have the motivation from yourself, the manager, your teammates and the crowd and that gives you that extra important lift or adrenalin boost, that’s why I always call them the twelfth man.

Also what helped me decide to become a footballer was the exposure. You have to be number one athlete to get nationally known, where as League 2 even Conference football gets recognition on television.

If I had chosen the other direction I wouldn’t have played in the likes of the FA Cup Final for Millwall against Manchester United in 2004 or Doncaster’s promotion to the Championship in 2008 season and I wouldn’t have been part of the Gills’ 2008/2009 promotion season.

I’ll be sitting back on the sofa when the 200 metre final commences in Commonwealth Games and there is no doubt that I will be visualising that it could have been me.