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Sophie Papps pleased with "solid races"

English sprinter Sophie Papps tells Sports Mole that she is "pleased" with her Commonwealth Games debut despite failing to qualify for the women's 100m final.

Young English sprinter Sophie Papps has said that she is "pleased" with her debut performance at the Commonwealth Games, despite missing out on a place in the women's 100m final.

The 19-year-old comfortably made it through the first round yesterday with a time of 11.53s but placed seventh of eight in her semi-final heat this evening with a time of 11.61s.

Sports Mole caught up with Papps moments after her elimination to find out how she was feeling.

England's Sophie Papps and Khamica Bingham of Canada compete in the women's 100m heats at Hampden Park, Glasgow on day four of the 2014 Commonwealth Games on July 27, 2014© Getty Images

What's your overriding emotion at the moment?

"I'm obviously disappointed, but I'm really happy at the same time because I wrote myself off at the beginning of the year. I've struggled to come back mentally, as well as physically, from an injury. I don't want to make excuses for myself because I've done exactly what I wanted to do and I'm really proud of myself for being able to get back from a situation that I didn't think I could. So I'm really pleased to have got the opportunity just to run. I came here and there was no pressure - it was just 'run and have a good time', and I've had a great time, and I've run alright."

Are you happy with your performances as a whole, then?

"Yeah, I mean obviously I would have liked to have run better, if not faster, but technically I've put two solid races together, I'd imagine. I was really pleased with yesterday's - today I'm obviously a bit disappointed but I've had a really good time. Glasgow has been amazing. It's done now, [there's] nothing I can do about it."

Looking at the Commonwealth Games as a whole, have you enjoyed your experience?

"Yeah, definitely. It's all been an experience, it's all new to me. I've done multi-sport competition before in the Isle of Man, but never [stayed] in [an Athletes'] Village, never anything like that. This is my first one and I've definitely gained a lot of experience. I've learned a lot - I've learned to stay away from the cookies and the muffins! It's been amazing. Glasgow have done a really good job."

As for the future, are all eyes on Rio for you now?

"Yeah, definitely. I feel like if I can pick myself up from how I felt this year then nothing can get me again. I'm just so much [more] mentally tough, and I have to thank Dan, my coach, for that. He bullied me into being better and making me feel more confident - but in a good way! So I have to thank him for that. I'm looking forward to the next few years, hopefully it can all go my way."

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Jamaica's Veronica Campbell-Brown takes the applause after winning the women's 100 meters at the Jamaica international invitational in 11.01 seconds at the national stadium in Kingston on May 4, 2013
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