By Gary Anderson

November 6 - London 2012 silver medal winner Gemma Gibbons is the latest star to become a CGE AmbassadorEdinburgh-based Gemma Gibbons has promised to go for gold at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games after the Olympic silver medallist was today unveiled as the latest athlete to become a Commonwealth Games England (CGE) Ambassador.

Gibbons, who took silver in the women's under 78 kilogramme category at London 2012, is aiming to do everything she can to ensure that it it the England flag that's flying highest in Glasgow at the end of her judo competition.

"It's got to be gold for the Commonwealth Games," said Gibbons, who is lives in the Scottish capital with her Scottish husband Euan Barton, who took gold at the European Judo Open in Glasgow last month and will represent Scotland at the Games next year.

"A silver at the London Olympics followed by a gold at the Games in Glasgow would be absolutely amazing.

"The focus is always forward and the next big thing is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow - I'm really, really excited.

"Glasgow 2014 will be the first time I've had the chance to compete for England and I'm really looking forward to getting selected, going out there and doing my best, hopefully getting that gold medal."

Now living in Edinburgh, Gibbons says she cannot wait to represent England at the Games in Glasgow next yearNow living in Edinburgh, Gibbons says she cannot wait to represent England at the Games in Glasgow next year




























Although now living north of the border, Gibbons, who hails from London, says she cannot wait to get on the tatami to represent England and says that the recent European Open in Glasgow has whetted the public's appetite for the Games next year.

"It's England all the way - as you can tell from my accent I'm a London girl born and bred, and I'll definitely be there competing for England," she said.

"I moved to Edinburgh after the Olympics and the buzz for the Games is really growing among the people of Scotland.

"I was at a judo competition recently in Glasgow and the crowds that turned up were absolutely amazing, everyone was really enlightened by what they were seeing and kept saying to me, 'We look forward to seeing you next year'."

Next year will represent the third time that judo will form part of the programme at a Commonwealth Games following on from Auckland 1990 and Manchester 2002 and across both Games, England has won 22 of the possible 30 gold medals available.

Gibbons with husband Euan Burton after his European Open win in Glasgow last monthGibbons with husband Euan Burton after his European Open win in Glasgow last month





























Gibbons, who won gold at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Grand Prix in Dusseldorf earlier this year, joins the likes of Olympic bronze medallist, former world champion and Manchester 2002 gold medal winner Beth Tweddle, double Olympic champion James Cracknell and former world champion and ten-time Commonwealth Games medallist Nathan Robertson as official CGE Ambassadors.

Ambassadors will work in the run up to Glasgow 2014 to support the performance of Team England and will have various roles working alongside CGE teams, sport bodies, stakeholders, sponsors and fundraising partners, in order to promote CGE and Team England to the public - via appearances, PR and social media.

"It's great to be a part of the Ambassadors programme," said Gibbons, who returned to win the British title in January after breaking her hand at the Olympics.

"I've never had the chance to compete in a Commonwealth Games so I'm really excited and to be an Ambassador tops it all off.

"There are some great names on the Ambassadors programme; hopefully we can inspire as many people as possible to back the team next year."

For a full list of athletes who have joined the CGE Ambassadors programme click here.

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