Glasgow 2014: Second silver for Bath alumna Heather Olver on final day of Commonwealth Games
University of Bath graduate Heather Olver collected her second silver medal on the final day of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The Coach Education and Sports Development graduate took silver partnering Chris Langridge in the mixed doubles final.
The pair put up a brave battle but went down to fellow England players and top seeds Chris and Gabby Adcock in this morning’s final 21-9 21-12.
Olver adds the mixed doubles silver to the team silver she won with England earlier in the Games.
She said: “It was a tough match. Chris and Gabby played really well and we were a bit slow getting out of the blocks, which they took advantage of.
“We were really happy to have got here in the first place, a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games it something we could have only dreamed of,” she added. “From the very beginning, the first team match, the crowd and the support has been amazing. I have never really seen a badminton hall as full on as many consecutive days, so a big thank you to everyone who came to support.”
There was disappointment for England’s netballers, including Team Bath players Serena Guthrie and Stacey Francis, who lost a pulsating bronze medal match against Jamaica 52-48.
Just 24 hours after losing a nail-biting semi-final to defending champions New Zealand by a single goal, there was heartbreak again for England.
Absolutely gutted
England head coach Anna Mayes, a former Team Bath player, said: “I’m absolutely gutted. It was a hard task after running New Zealand so close yesterday. Unfortunately we didn’t play our best netball today.
“All credit to Jamaica for grinding out the win,” she added.
Geva Mentor, a former Team Bath player, added: “I’m proud of this bunch of girls. We’ve achieved a lot, but this isn’t where we wanted to finish off.”
Picture: Badminton Photo
