Walsh's new role helping next generation in Glasgow
· Yahoo Sports
Aidan Walsh is back at his third Commonwealth Games with Team Northern Ireland, but in a different role than the previous two.
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The west Belfast boxer won silver on the Gold Coast in 2018 and gold in Birmingham in 2022 before retiring from boxing last year.
Now, he is back as part of staff in a welfare and support role for Team NI's 64 competing athletes in Glasgow.
He is well equipped to do so as the Olympic bronze medallist is Boxing Ireland's high performance support lead, holds a degree in athlete wellbeing and performances sport psychology and is pursuing a PhD on emotion in elite boxing.
"My passion throughout my career has always been athlete welfare, so to be in a role supporting athletes while here is absolutely amazing. I'm really enjoying it so far," he told BBC Sport NI.
'Enjoy it, express yourself and be yourself'
Aidan Walsh's older sister, Michaela will compete at her fourth Commonwealth Games [Getty Images]During his career, Walsh was open with his mental health struggles despite enjoying success in the ring and he wants to help the younger members of Team NI competing at their first Games not to be overawed or feel external pressure to perform, but rather enjoy the experience.
"It's a lot easier to put sport into perspective when you're in a different role," he added.
"When I was an athlete I always thought sport was the end of the world and everyone watching the sport was just watching me, but in this role you see there are not as many eyes on you as what you think and when you use that perspective talking to athletes, it can benefit them.
"You just say go out and enjoy it, express yourself and be yourself. Athletes appreciate that outsiders perspective and someone who has been there and done it."
Part of Team NI for a fourth successive Games is Aidan's sister, Michaela, who is aiming to win her fourth consecutive medal.
The 33-year-old won silver in 2014 and 2018 but claimed gold four years ago and is looking to repeat that feat in Glasgow.
Walsh said that his sister's feats have been "incredible" and it is hard to dissuade her from her relentless drive to keep pursuing success.
"I'm hopeful it's her last Commonwealth Games because I'm trying to say step back, there's more to life than boxing and sport but she will go until the wheels fall off.
"She loves it and why not, who am I to tell her to stop? She will do it as long as she can. She is still competing at a very high level, she's probably getting better as the years go on so there's a good road ahead of her."