The English are hunting us. We’ll be prey in unfamiliar environs – the cold and wet of Glasgow.
And the Poms are hellbent on knocking us from the top of the Commonwealth Games medal tally for the first time since 1986.
“The English have said – very, very directly – they are out to get us,” Australian Commonwealth Games Association chief Perry Crosswhite tells AAP.
“We will take the challenges for all they are worth.”
Many times, Crosswhite has heard such pre-Games bluster from other nations.
But this time, with six months to go before the July 23-August 3 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, he has real trepidation.
It’s not just England.
Crosswhite reckons the host nation effect will lift Scotland’s athletes.
Canada, after a period in the doldrums, are again investing heavily in the Games. So are South Africa.
There’s the Asian domination of the racquet sports; Kenya will do what Kenya does – clean-up in athletic’s middle and long distance races – with Jamaica to do the same in the sprints.
New Zealand defend netball and rugby sevens titles. And India, second on the medal table four years ago, remain a great unknown.
Then there’s the omen: the last time Australia didn’t top the medal tally was in 1986 – the last time the Games were held in Scotland’s cooler climes.
“We certainly don’t want that to happen again,” Crosswhite says.
Australia again will look to the pool to maintain its lofty status.
Crosswhite says the medal target is similar to the troubled 2010 Games in Delhi, where Australia collected 178 medals – 74 gold, 55 silver and 49 bronze.
“We feel if we achieve that again, we would top the medal count,” he says.
“Some of the sports where we have had some good showings in the past are not as strong as they used to be.
“But it comes back to swimming. If we can do really well in swimming and get a good start, that also helps the other athletes to do well.”
Australia’s expected 425-strong team of athletes will likely be a younger bunch than normal, with some sports expecting to do better at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the home soil of the Gold Coast.
“But the best athletes want to go to the (Glasgow) Games because it’s a fun event and it’s also one where they can improve their standing,” Crosswhite says.
“So it’s hard for sports, with selection criteria, to say `you miss out because you’re not under 21′ or whatever it is.
“But I do know we are looking at emerging athlete performances in track and field so that can be considered.
“Some of the other sports, if they have a choice between an older or younger athlete, they will probably take the younger one.”
And they probably won’t get the commercial opportunities of past Commonwealth Games athletes.
“It’s getting harder and harder,” Crosswhite says.
“Sponsors have looked more long-term … these companies are very hard-hitting, it’s very much about what conditional products they can sell, which we understand.
“Commercially, we’re finding it difficult. But we generally get most of our sponsorships in the last six months before the Games, so I’m still hopeful.
“What it costs is what it costs. And we have got reserves from our foundation which we can use to pay for it.”
Australia will spend about $14.5 million on its campaign for Glasgow, where pre-Games hassles experienced in Delhi won’t be an issue.
“These Games are going really well as far as the organisation goes,” Crosswhite says.
“The Scots have done this before a couple of times and they’re very keen about the Commonwealth Games, as we are.
“Most of the Games venues are finished or getting close to it. From an organisational point of view, we’re quite pleased.”
FAST FACTS ABOUT THE 2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES
* When: July 23-August 3.
* Where: Glasgow, Scotland
* Sports: 17
* Competing nations: 71
* Mascot: Clyde, the cheeky wee thistleAUSTRALIA AT THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES
* Won most medals (2079). England (1836) next best
* Won most gold medals (803). England (611) next best
* Topped medal table at past six Games
* Topped medal table at 12 of the 19 Games
* Won 74 gold, 55 silver and 49 bronze medals at 2010 Delhi Games
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