By Emily Goddard

Nathan Robertson has been appointed as an ambassador by Commonwealth Games EnglandAugust 12 - Nathan Robertson, a former badminton world champion, has been named as the latest athlete to join the Commonwealth Games England ambassador programme.

The ten-times Commonwealth Games medallist, his nation's flag bearer at Delhi 2010, said he is "very proud" to be joining recently retired gymnast Beth Tweddle, London 2012 double bronze medallist Max Whitlock and archery double gold medallist Nicky Hunt as England ambassadors.

"Being the flag bearer for Team England in Delhi was one of the proudest moments of my life so the Commonwealth Games are very special to me," Robertson said.

"I am always honoured to be an ambassador for anything but the Commonwealth Games was always one of my favourite events.

"I think England's Ambassador Programme is a great idea, especially when it uses former athletes.

"We have so much we can give back to the younger generation and hopefully they will use our experience to go on to great success of their own."

Robertson won medals from four Commonwealth Games, Kuala Lumpur 1998, Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006 and Delhi 2010, after making his international debut at the age of 18.

During a career spanning 17 years, he also won a number of other titles including gold at the 2004 European Championships, silver at the Athens 2004 Olympics and gold at the 2006 World Championships.

Nathan Robertson said Melbourne 2006 was his best GamesNathan Robertson said Melbourne 2006 was his favourite Commonwealth Games

"Being from a mainly individual sport, representing England as a team was always a very special time for me, and I always produced my best in a team environment," Robertson said.

"My favourite Games was Melbourne 2006.

"I won gold in the mixed doubles that year but I loved how Melbourne staged the Games.

"That gold medal is probably the most important to me out of my ten."

Robertson is also positive about England's chances for success at Glasgow 2014 and says he is confident that some of the nation's stars of today are in a position to medal at next year's Games.

"In badminton we should win medals even though we have a relatively young team," he said.

"Rajiv Ouseph in the men's singles has good chances again; Chris Adcock and Andy Ellis in the men's doubles should also do very well.

"I think without a doubt that Glasgow 2014 will be great.

"I think the city will embrace the opportunity to host the Games and produce a fantastic sporting spectacle.

"It's been a while since England topped the medals table and I really hope that 2014 could be our year.

"It's a big challenge but hopefully the success from London 2012 will roll onto Scotland."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2012: Robertson appointed by Badminton England as ambassador
June 2012: Badminton ace Robertson decides to hang up racket after glittering career