A BARRHEAD athlete has earned parliamentary praise as he prepares to represent Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

High jump star David Smith, 26, was commended in Westminster after East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton lodged an Early Day Motion (EDM) to shine light on his achievements in 2017.

Last year saw the Giffnock North Athletics Club member win the Scottish Championships and finish second in the British Championships.

The EDM reads: “That this House congratulates Barrhead high jumper, David Smith, on his selection to the Scottish Commonwealth Games Team; understands that the 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place on the Gold Coast in Australia; notes that Mr Smith’s selection capped off a successful season in which he won the Scottish Championships and finished second in the British Championships; pays tribute to the work of Mr Smith’s coaches, Paul Harrison and Ken Allan; and wishes Mr Smith, a member of Giffnock North Athletics Club, every success at the Commonwealth Games and for the rest of the 2018 season.”

As he prepares to compete on the Gold Coast, David has vowed to improve on his outing at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he was hampered by injury.

He told the Barrhead News: “The last couple of years have been pretty tough for me. I seem to just sneeze and I pull a muscle. It’s been really frustrating.

“You name it and I’ve had it these last few years.

“It’s not been anything serious but it’s stopped me training and, if you’re competing while you’re not fully fit or in pain, then you’re never going to jump your best.

“I turned up for the Games injured last time round and I didn’t even get to the final.

“There’s a lot that I want to change and rewrite for Australia. I want to make amends for blowing it in Glasgow.”

This year’s Games take place from April 4-15, featuring 275 events in 18 different sports.