KOLKATA: As Glasgow prepares to host the Commonwealth Games later this week, one person who couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic is an artistic gymnast. Deepa Karmakar. She won bronze in the women’s backstroke when the event was held in the Scottish city in 2014 – her first international medal.It marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that came to an end in 2024 when he retired after winning gold at the Asian Championships.After making the transition into coaching, Dipa remains very much connected to the sport and will be glued to the screens when the competition begins on Thursday. She will also be rooting for Pranati Nayak, who she believes has a good chance of finishing on the podium this time around.“We have been together during the last two national camps. I was with the junior team in the Asian Championships in China, while she was competing with the Olympic and World Championship medalists,” Dipa said during an interaction facilitated by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).“She did well and reached the final. I hope she improved one of her times, and if she performs well both times, I believe she has a very good chance to win a medal.”That being said, it should also be kept in mind that the veteran gymnast has struggled with injuries, especially after injuring her ankle during last year’s World Championships.“I’ve been through two ACL surgeries myself, so I know how difficult it can be to recover. But I hope she comes back even stronger. The Commonwealth Games only come once every four years, so it’s a great opportunity,” Dipa added.Apart from Pranati, India will have several other gymnasts in action, including a few who will be making their Commonwealth Games debut. While Dipa believes that the event will be a great opportunity for them, she is already looking forward to the next Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Ahmedabad in 2030.“I competed at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and I know what it means to host such an event,” said Dipa. “This time, I hope India will have its best Commonwealth Games. We have four years to prepare, and if everyone continues to work hard, I believe we can win many more medals.”He also hopes that India will have the opportunity to host the 2036 Olympics, which he believes will transform the country’s sports ecosystem.“It would be a huge achievement, not only for the athletes but for Indian sports in general,” said the Rio Olympian. “Hosting the Olympics means better infrastructure, foreign coaches, exposure trips, improved facilities and more investment in sports.”The ‘Produnova Girl’, as she is popularly known, is meanwhile happy about the progress that Indian gymnastics has made in the last decade. But once the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games are over, she wants the current crop of gymnasts to turn their attention to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (Watch the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games live and exclusively on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV)