Why the Commonwealth Games is important to me

SPORT: My name is Samuel Hudson. I am 8 years and have lived in Sri Lanka for 18 months. My family are from Australia and I have enjoyed doing many different things in Sri Lanka since we arrived.

One of my favourite things I have done since moving to Sri Lanka was running with the Commonwealth Games Baton in September last year.

The baton was on it's way through all of the Commonwealth countries heading for Melbourne Australia for the big event.

Being able to run with the baton was important to me because my Dad won a Commonwealth Games gold medal in Canada in 1994. I also watched my Dad run with the Olympic torch in Sydney in 2000.

My Dad's name is Bret Hudson. He competed in the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games as a gymnast.

When I was little, my Dad trained at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), which is in Canberra.

I would sometimes go to the gym and enjoyed playing in the big foam pit, jumping on the trampolines and watching my Dad. He spent nearly 40 hours a week in the gym training to be the best gymnast he could.

My Dad moved to Canberra to train at the AIS when he was 13. He moved away from his family and friends in Sydney to live with other gymnasts and to work with excellent coaches.

Dad often travelled overseas and got to see many different cities. He competed in seven World Championships, the 1996 Olympic Games and many other National and International competitions.

My Dad really enjoyed competing at the Commonwealth Games. He won a total of five Commonwealth Games medals. One gold, two silver and two bronze.

I think my Dad was a very good gymnast.

He teaches me to do somersaults, back flips and other tricks.

I love watching the videos of my Dad, especially the one when he won his gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

(Sam is in Grade 2 at the Overseas School of Colombo)