Team Canada coach Ian Hughes has revealed that he will be using this summer's Commonwealth Games as a "stepping stone" towards the Olympics in 2016.
The Commonwealths represent the first of three major multi-sport events in as many years for Canada, with the Pan American Games taking place in Toronto in 2015.
Hughes insisted that the Glasgow Games are important to the team, but admitted that the main focus was already on Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
"It's been an honour and a privilege to be here at the Commonwealth Games. This is my first major Games experience so for me it is all new and I'm taking it all in. These Commonwealth Games represent a stepping stone for the main objective, the Rio Olympics," Hughes told reporters.
"But all of these major Games settings are really important for the athletes, getting used to the Olympic Village and knowing how to function and adapt in that environment. These Commonwealth Games are really important. They're a huge step up from our regular World Cups and World Championships, and of course leading up to Rio we're going to have the Pan American Games in Toronto, which will be really important for Team Canada as well.
"So far the Village life has been truly amazing. The staff, the volunteers are awesome – you really feel a lot of support coming from everybody. We're able to keep a really good environment that is high performance but light, bright and clear as well. An environment that is fun and enthusiastic, so we have our hopes set pretty high for these Commonwealth Games."
Hughes also backed the team's mountain bikers to be amongst the medals in Glasgow.
