Brand Selected for 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
03 January 2018
The Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association announced Wednesday that Team Novo Nordisk’s Sam Brand would represent Team Isle of Man at the 2018 Commonwealth Games when it kicks off in April in Australia’s Gold Coast.
The Manx native will compete as part of the six-man cycling road team. This serves as his first Commonwealth Games appearance.
“Sam is an outstanding athlete and we’ve seen a tremendous growth in his endurance and abilities over the past year,” said Team Novo Nordisk CEO and co-founder Phil Southerland. “Since moving up to Team Novo Nordisk’s professional squad as a stagiaire, he’s put together some strong performances at the top level of the sport. We are proud to have one of our athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games and show the world what is possible with diabetes.”
Brand was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 10. In 2013 and after qualifying to race at the International Triathlon Union’s World Championships, he gained the attention of Team Novo Nordisk and joined the program’s elite triathlon team the following season.
In 2015, he finished second in his age group at the British Triathlon Championships, a World Championship qualifier. Following this event and graduating university, Brand decided to focus exclusively on cycling and moved over to Team Novo Nordisk’s development squad for the 2016 season. During the 2017 season, he earned three top 10 finishes, including two podium finishes before finishing the season as a stagiaire with the men’s professional team. The 2018 season will serve as his first full season in the professional peloton.
“Being selected is a true honor and a standout moment in my career. I feel like I’ve been aiming for this for some time,” said Brand. “Yet I realize that being named to the team is just the start of all the hard work. I’m looking forward to representing the Isle of Man and giving my all for our team at the Commonwealth Games.”
The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be held April 4-15, 2018.