The 2012 Aquathlon world champion was initially nominated as a reserve for the mixed team relay only, but appealed the non-selection for the individual race to Triathlon New Zealand who last week reversed their decision and nominated her to the New Zealand Olympic Committee.

The New Zealand Olympic Committee said the nomination showed Samuels had the potential to finish in the top six in the Games, adding: "We look forward to seeing her compete in Glasgow."

She showed this potential in her performances last season, which saw her record two top-five finishes in the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Series.

Samuels also secured gold in the 2013 XTERRA Triathlon World Championships, an off-road triathlon race which sees athletes compete across a swim, mountain bike and trial running course.

Nicky Samuels won gold at the 2012 ITU Aquathlon World Championships in Auckland ©Getty Images



The 31-year-old will join Andrea Hewitt and Kate McIlroy in the women's individual team with Tony Dodds, Ryan Sissons and Tom Davison set to compete in the men's individual event.

Samuels will travel to London this week as she prepares for the ITU World Series event in Hyde Park on Saturday (May 31).

She competed in the first round of the French Grand Prix last weekend, finishing ninth.

The women's individual triathlon event gets underway on July 24, the first day of sporting action at the Commonwealth Games.

The event will be followed two days later by the mixed relay, with New Zealand's team formed of Hewitt, McIlroy, Dodds and Sissons.

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