APART from appearing at the biggest competition of her career, Niamh Robinson is excited about one thing this summer.

Mum Sue, who competed at the Commonwealth Games 24 years ago, said: “She really wants to meet Mark Cavendish and is chuffed to be in the same Isle of Man team.

“She is going to a team-building event in a week and is hoping to get to meet him.

“But I am sure he might be busy with other competitions such as the Tour de France and other things and might not be able to be there.

“He will be staying in the village and hopefully she may get the chance to meet him then.”

Despite her delight at making the Games, it is tinged with a bit of disappointment. Sue said: “She is going to be there for the first week as the swimming takes place then.

“But she will have to leave to go to the British Gas National Age-Group championships on July 28-29.

“We are going to be taking her back after the event for the rest of the Common-wealth Games, just so she can enjoy the experience.”

Robinson will be in action in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 200m medley and 50m fly.

With the heats coming thick and fast during the first week, Niamh’s mum Sue just hopes she can learn and impress.

She said: “It is going to take its toll with so many races but she told some of the people from the Isle of Man that she will be up for it.

“The 100m breaststroke and 200m medley are very close together but we did not want her to pull out of either because they are her best events.

“We are hoping she can make the semi-finals of a couple of races and see how it goes from there.

“These Games are about experience and in four years time she will be 18 and might be able to get a few medals.”

Sue donned the colours of the Isle of Man 1990, and despite not winning a medal she is confident her daughter can impress on the big stage.

She said: “I was only 16 when I went to the Commonwealth Games and it did not go as I would have liked.

“I was the only girl in the swimming team but this time Niamh has three other girls with her.

“A lot of people would say they live their lives through their children but that is not the case with me as I have been there before (at the Commonwealths) and I just love to see her do well.”