Five who can thrive

James Crisp (swimmer)

For the first time events for the disabled will be integrated with the able-bodied programme. "It is a wonderful opportunity to show the world just how far disabled sport has progressed," says 19-year-old England swimmer James Crisp, from Nottingham, who will be competing in the 100m freestyle. Vaccine-damaged with polio as a three-year-old, he has restricted mobility in one leg. In the 2000 Paralympics he won three golds, two silvers and two bronzes. He swims regularly in able-bodied galas and holds two world records. "The Aussies are as strong in our events as they are in the able-bodied," he says. "I need to be in top form to come away with gold."

Raewyn Henry (netball coach)

They kept a welcome in the hillside for New Zealander Raewyn Henry, even when her husband, Graham, lost his job as coach to the Welsh rugby union team. His wife stayed on to coach the nation's netball team, with whom she has had a greater degree of success, winning the European Championship. Not that Raewyn, 54, sees much glory for her girls in Manchester, where they have drawn second-ranked New Zealand, and England. "If we finish in the top half we'll be delighted," she says. Graham returned last week to take up a coaching job in Auckland, and mother-of-three Raewyn follows after the Games. But she may be back for the World Cup. "I love it here."

David Dolan (boxer)

How do you follow Big Audley? David Dolan hopes to, all the way to the Olympic super-heavyweight podium via the same Commonwealth crown that Harrison won four years ago. He may be three inches shorter and as many stones lighter, but at 22 he is also nine years younger. The one thing they have in common is that both went to university. Harrison graduated in business studies, while Sunderland's Dolan has suspended his course in fine arts to concentrate on the Games. So he is something of an artist on canvas in and out of the ring. His selection was controversial, as he did not win the ABA title, but he is a sharp mover who could nick the gold.

Katy Parker (table tennis)

When they talk of the Commonwealth Games "family" the name Parker pings to mind. There's dad Don, the former England table- tennis team manager who is the Games Council's sports liaison officer, mum Jill (née Hammersley), former European champion and England's best-ever female, now assistant team manager, and daughter Katy, 17, a bright medal hope. Katy, from Preston, was the youngest to represent England in a world championships, aged 12. That was also in Manchester, where the sport makes its Games debut. When she took it up at seven she had to stand on a box, but playing in the Swedish League has brought useful experience to the family table.

John Melling (wrestler)

Whatever else he may do in Manchester, wrestler John Melling won't be wearing a mask. "This is not WWE," says England's hope at 66kg. "When people hear you are in wrestling they immediately think of all that showbiz stuff. But this is real wrestling. I think those who watch will be impressed." Melling, 31, from Wigan, is married to a Russian girl he met while wrestling in Germany. He has just finished a university course in Vancouver, and wants to improve on the Commonwealth silver he won there in 1994. The sport was dropped in Kuala Lumpur but makes a popular return in Manchester, as Lancashire is the acknowledged home of genuine grip and grapple.