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Page last updated at 13:57 GMT, Wednesday, 29 September 2010 14:57 UK

'Smiley Miley' sets her sights on another gold medal

Hannah Miley chats to School Reporters

By Lucy and Daisy, 14
School Reporters from Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen

Hannah Miley is one of Scotland's brightest prospects for a medal at the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

In August she won the gold medal for the 400m individual medley at the European Championships in Budapest, beating the current world champion in the process, and is being talked about as someone to watch in India.

Hannah discussed her preparation for the Commonwealth Games and even her training methods for the 2012 Olympics at a press conference at the offices of her sponsors, Xodus, in Huntly Street, Aberdeen.

Five students from Robert Gordon's College were able to attend this event alongside journalists from the Sunday Herald, Original FM and BBC Scotland, among others.

Scottish hopeful

She is excited that she will be swimming for Scotland at the Games because "Scotland is more home, I guess, and there is something quite special about being able to compete against the other nations within Great Britain at a major international meet".

It is clear that the European Championships win was very important for Hannah.

Scottish swimmer Hannah Miley shares her Commonwealth Games aspirations with Robert Gordon's College School Reporters
Swimmer Hannah Miley chats to School Reporters before departing for Delhi

"It was a huge confidence booster to finally break through after coming fourth so many times," said Hannah, who swims for Garioch Amateur Swimming Club in Inverurie, 16 miles from Aberdeen.

Her victory in the 400m individual medley race was followed by a bronze in the 200m individual medley and another bronze in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay.

When asked how having her dad as her coach affects their relationship, she was only too happy to reply that she wouldn't have it any other way!

'Team Miley'

She went on to say that having her dad as a coach helped her to get where she wanted in her swimming as he knows her so well.

She is very grateful to her family for all the support that they have given her throughout her career so far and hugely appreciates the constant encouragement that she receives from 'Team Miley'.

"We spur each other on and I really enjoy the fact that the whole family is involved because it is great that we can share the successes; and even if things aren't going to plan I know that I am always supported and will get positive feedback and a boost from the family," said Hannah.

Excitement is building as the Games draw near and it was obvious from the buzz of the press conference that Hannah has made her sporting breakthrough and has the potential to add other medals to the ones that she won at the European Championships.

As for us, the interview was a new and rather daunting experience but Hannah's bubbly personality and friendliness made it much less so.

Overall, the event was a big step up as we had gone from learning about journalism in the classroom to suddenly finding ourselves interviewing a top swimmer alongside our School Report mentor, BBC Scotland reporter Colin Wight.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games swimming championships in Melbourne caused great excitement in our school when former pupil David Carry won gold medals in the 400m freestyle and individual medley events.

If Hannah can return from the Delhi Games with a medal, 'Team Miley' will go wild - and so will Aberdeen and Inverurie.

And if that happens, you can be sure that you will be able to read all about it on BBC School Report!



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