Danielle Hill hopes to inspire next generation of swimmers as UK-wide Commonwealth Games medal tour begins in her native Larne
Young swimmers in Larne were treated to a special surprise as this summer’s Commonwealth Games medal made an appearance in the east Antrim town.
Team Northern Ireland swimmer and European Champion Danielle Hill returned to her home club to launch the Glasgow 2026 Medal Tour.
Young swimmers from Larne Swimming Club, where Hill is a development squad coach, were among the first members of the public anywhere in the Commonwealth to experience the Glasgow 2026 medals up close.
Hosted at Larne Leisure Centre, the event also celebrated the clubs, coaches, volunteers and families who help make sporting success possible.
Hill, who represented Team Northern Ireland at the Glasgow 2014 Games when she was just 14 years old, as well as the Gold Coast 2018 and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, spent the evening sharing her experiences of competing on the international stage and reflecting on the role Larne Swimming Club has played in her journey.
Speaking at the event, Danielle Hill said: "The Commonwealth Games has given me some of the proudest moments of my career and seeing young swimmers experience the Glasgow 2026 medal up close today has been really inspiring.
"Hopefully it helps them realise that the path from local club swimmer to representing Northern Ireland on the international stage is possible.”
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive of Glasgow 2026, added: “Launching the Medal Tour in Northern Ireland at Larne Swimming Club, reflects the importance of local communities to the Glasgow 2026 Games. Danielle’s journey perfectly demonstrates how these communities help create international athletes, and today has been a powerful reminder that every Commonwealth Games story starts somewhere.”