The stories behind the South East's stars of the Commonwealth Games

Athletes from across South East England are set to compete in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The BBC has spoken to some from Kent, Surrey and Sussex to hear how they are feeling ahead of the competition in September.

Lizzi Jordan, a blind paralympian track cyclist, is one of those who have been selected.

The 28-year-old, from Guildford, told the BBC she lost her sight in 2017 after getting a rare strain of E. coli from a takeaway.

"It was totally out of the blue," Jordan said.

"I ended up in an eight-week coma with multi-organ failure, really just holding on for dear life in hospital.

"I was extremely fortunate to pull through... but I couldn't see anything [when I woke up], which was extremely scary."

The Olympic gold and multiple World Championship winner said getting into sport saved her.

"When I first lost my sight, I genuinely thought I'd lost everything, but [sport] gave me a totally different outlook on life.

"It allowed me to enjoy what my body can do instead of what I can't do," she said.

"I wouldn't have dreamt of where I am now and what I've achieved after such a huge setback."

Jordan, who had previously enjoyed horse riding, says she rides tandem with Danni Khan - a sighted pilot.

"It's a huge honour and a privilege to represent Team England," she said.

The Commonwealth Games - held every four years - is one of the only major international sporting events combining able-bodied and para sports.

More than 200 medals will be up for grabs across 10 sports and six para sports this year, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing.

A total of 10 different sports will be played in Glasgow - a significant drop from the 17 sports represented the last time the Scottish city hosted the event in 2014.

Gemma Tutton, who currently lives in the US, says she is excited to represent England - for her first time ever.

"This is just like the cherry on top of the cake for me."

The pole vaulter from Lewes in East Sussex told the BBC she practises in a barn which has "chickens running in and out, and cows".

"It's a wonderful place, even though it smells," she said.

"I'm from such a gorgeous part of the South Downs."

The 21-year-old added she was looking forward to the games in Glasgow.

"Family, friends - it means the world to have people cheering for you," she said.

Born in Maidstone, Kent, Matt Richardson moved to Australia when he was a child.

The track cyclist used to compete for the Australian side, but switched to Team England two years ago.

"I'll be competing against the country [and] teammates that I was racing with last time," he told the BBC.

"It's going to be an interesting dynamic.

"But one that I'm really looking forward to," Richardson said.

The 27-year-old said he had "blocked out all the negativity and moved on" following his change of sides.

"The main thing that was important to me was that this side of the pond was happy," he said.

Richardson says his performance since the switch has been "great and only seems to be getting better".

"I am trying to ride the wave for as long as I can."

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