CHIPPENHAM sprinter Elaine O’Neill received the perfect send-off for the Commonwealth Games after being named athlete of the year at the Welsh Athletics Award dinner.

The 20-year-old picked up the women’s prize – Trowbridge-based European 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene bagging the men’s award – before boarding a flight to Doha where the Wales team are completing their preparations before moving on to Delhi for the Games which open on Sunday with the athletics starting next Wednesday.

“Being named Athlete of the Year was a really big surprise, “ said O’Neill, who will make her senior international debut in the 100m in Delhi.

“I didn’t expect it and I was really pleased to get the award. It is an honour to receive it.”

The former St Augustine’s School student revealed that she cannot wait for the action to start in Delhi after along build-up.

“I am particularly looking forward to the holding camp in Doha as I think it will help us come around as a team, raise our spirits and morale,” added O’Neill, who was selected for the Great Britain relay team for this summer’s European Championships in Barcelona but wasn’t used.

“I am obviously looking forward to going to Delhi – I can’t wait to go really.”