Madelyn Moore is relishing the opportunity to make up for lost time on the international stage as she aims to impress representing Bermuda at the Commonwealth Games.

Moore, one of three swimmers alongside Emma Harvey and Jack Harvey, joins the 17-strong Bermuda team, headed up by Dame Flora Duffy, and including her fellow triathletes Tyler Butterfield, Erica Hawley and Tyler Smith, as well as track athletes Caitlyn Bobb, Tiara DeRosa, Sakari Famous, Dage Minors and Jah-Nhai Perinchief, and squash player Emma Keane.

Within her own discipline, the 22-year-old is excited to fly the flag in Birmingham, England, this month in what will be the highlight of her burgeoning career.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I came close to qualifying for the last Games and so to be announced in the team this time around I was just ecstatic.

“I’m really proud to be part of the Commonwealth Games team because it will be the pinnacle of my career so far for sure. This is one of the biggest international events I can compete in and so I’m really grateful to have that opportunity.”

Her selection represents somewhat of personal vindication for Moore, who along with Jesse Washington, was denied the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year after the Bermuda Olympic Association opted to reject official invitations — in the form of universality places — for both athletes.

Despite being left bewildered by the decision at the time, Moore concedes she used the rejection as personal motivation, going on to enjoy a stellar season at the University of Northern Colorado in which she amassed four gold medals, three silver, six bronze and seven school records on the way to being named Western Athletic Conference Swimmer of the Year for a second successive year.

While the disappointment of being denied the opportunity to be an Olympian has waned, Moore is determined to further prove a point — to herself more than anything else.

“That whole episode definitely lit a fire in my belly,” she added. “I found it really difficult watching the Olympics, knowing I could have been there.

“It gave me a real motivation and drive to really kick on, and still continue to prove a point, not just to others but more so to myself that I am good enough.

“I’m ready to represent Bermuda at a high-level event. I tried to put the whole Olympic debacle behind me because what happened has gone and I tried not to dwell on it. I’m ready to go and I’m just excited to be part of the Bermuda team for the Commonwealth Games.”

With the start of the Games less than three weeks away, Moore is confident her final preparations will see her hit peak condition as she sets sights on at least progressing through the heats.

“I’ve been super busy recently doing triple sessions daily as part of my final preparations,” added Moore, who finished 36th overall in the 50 metres butterfly and 27th in the 50 free at the Fina World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, last month.

“The World Championships were not really my focus heading into this summer and so it was more of a training meet for me to gain some more experience against a strong field ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

“It was tough to keep my training going throughout the event, but as a learning experience I was really happy with my performance and results.

“I definitely have targets in my mind for the Commonwealth Games and, looking at results from four years ago and seeing how I compare at the moment, I’m hopeful of getting through my heats and into the semi-finals at the least.

“I’m feeling good and hopefully I’ll be in the right place in terms of my fitness by the time the Games start.”