MARK Christian, one of two Manx athletes to win a medal at this year's Commonwealth Games, has spoken to isleofman.com reporter Tessa Hawley about his win.
Cyclist Mark, 20, won bronze in the 40km men's points race last month and said he was "over the moon".
However he admitted that he did have concerns about whether he should even be going out to Delhi after reports of unfit facilities for the visiting athletes.
Mark said: "There was a lot of fuss made in the media before going out and we had a few guys pulling out - a few bike riders actually. It did cross my mind not to go and I was weighing it up a few days before going out.
"But I took a step back and as the rest of the Isle of Man team were going out a couple of days before us I got good feedback from them that there were no problems. I went for it then and the whole experience was really good."
Despite members of the team pulling out Mark said he respects their decision. He explained: "I think they would have added to the team so from that side of things it is a little disappointing. I totally respect their decision not to go and I can see why. I mean I nearly didn't myself."
Mark said he saw no evidence of the problems reported by the media before the event and said that the food and accommodation were "really good".
The athletes also had armed guards to protect them from when they were away from the Games Village.
Mark explained: "From the village to the track where we were racing it was only 15 to 20 minutes on the coach. There was quite heavy security. The coach had police escorts, front and back, and there was an armed guard on the bus as well. It was quite a good feeling actually – you could relax a little bit."
Reflecting on his time in India Mark said that it was a highlight in his career so far but that he had "come back down to earth".
He continued: "To even compete at the Commonwealth Games is a really good experience so to come away with a medal is amazing.
"It's such a massive event especially for the Isle of Man. It's such a small place but everyone got behind the team and there's always good morale and a good buzz around the team. Everyone was happy to be there."
Mark said he was confident about winning a medal. He said: "I was quite confident. I knew it was realistic to come away with a medal but I knew at the same time it was going to be quite a big task. I knew I quite easily couldn’t have got it. I knew what I had to do on the track and everything fell into place.
"Obviously nerves come into it a lot. You've got to think about the job in hand and do the best you can. You have the same routines for pretty much every race so you go through the motions. At a big event like that there are nerves there."
Mark started cycling for fun at the NSC in Douglas. At the age of 14 he was accepted into the Great Britain Academy which is based in Manchester.
He explained: "It's not quite my profession yet but that's the aim to make it to professional. At the minute although I'm full time on the bike I can't say I'm professional. That's what you aim and work for. It’s kind of like an apprenticeship."
Although he also represents Great Britain in events Mark said he was equally as proud to be representing the Isle of Man.
He continued: "It's amazing to go and represent Great Britain but at the same time coming back to the Isle of Man and to get the three legs of man on your back again is just as special. I got to work with the people I was working with before I left the Isle of Man to become part of the Academy. It was good to come back."
Mark has still not decided what to do with his medal. He concluded: "Maybe I'll get it framed up and keep it at home. It's not every day you win a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games."
Also see: Manx cyclist's Commonwealth Games success - IN PICTURES
Christian "over the moon" with Commonwealth cycling bronze
