BRITTANY O’Brien has already graced the Olympics but she is heading into uncharted waters at her first Commonwealth Games.
The 19-year-old Sydneysider has never competed at such a big event in Australia and the diver admitted she is fluctuating between being daunted and excited.
“I think there will be more pressure. I just have to try and channel that into good energy and not freak out,’’ O’Brien said.
Helping her deal with the additional strain of an expectant home crowd on the Gold Coast next month is Melissa Wu, who was just 13 when she appeared at her first Games in 2006.
Her fellow Australian will also be one of O’Brien’s major medal rivals.
“Obviously there is a rivalry but we also want each other to do really well,” she said.
MORE: O’Brien’s late call into Olympics squad
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Another first for O’Brien at the Commonwealth Games will be competing at an international event at night under lights, which she admits has her “pretty scared’’.
“I’m glad we get the opportunity to practise because some of the other competitors from other countries might not and that will give us a bit of an advantage as well,’’ said O’Brien, who is heading to a camp next month to help acclimatise to the night-time diving
