Martin Brockman revealed he limped to the end of the Commonwealth Games decathlon to set an example to the youngsters he coaches across Kent.

The 26-year-old was defending a bronze medal from the 2010 Games in Delhi when the action began at Hampden Park on Monday.

But his chances were hampered from the off by a debilitating virus which had caused him to lose significant weight and sapped him of energy, a recipe for disaster in the most demanding event of all.

Medway & Maidstone man Brockman finished 13th of 14 finishers but revealed he was proud to have completed the event and set a positive example to the next generation.

He said: “I am an absolute mess. I was not well over the weekend and then in the pole vault I trapped a nerve in my neck and in the javelin I tore an abductor. I was just happy to finish.

"After the shot put we went back to the village and I was really ill. I had the doctor out.

“At that point I thought should I carry on? But I had lots of people coming to watch and loads of people watching at home. I wanted to come back and at least do something to warrant them coming all the way to Scotland.

“As long I've not done any permanent damage then it doesn't really matter. I coach a lot of kids in Kent and I wanted to set an example for them. I know they’re watching. I would always say to them ‘never give up’ so I don’t want to now.”