Excitement is building...


The excitement and expectation is rising as we continue the countdown to the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It won’t be long before our athletes will be checking into the Athletes’ Village in Glasgow...writes Sarah Powell, Chief Executive of Sport Wales.

Today, the countdown reaches a key milestone as Commonwealth Games Wales hosts a Send Off event for all the athletes and I am delighted to be attending on behalf of Sport Wales.

 It’s an opportunity to celebrate our team. With the likes of Geraint Thomas, Helen Jenkins and Aled Sion Davies, Wales is a match for anyone. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the years of preparation and hard work. An opportunity for the team to stand together and as one.
 
 
 
Wales is fielding its largest ever team with all four team sports having qualified for the first time in history. Competing in all 17 sports, I for one cannot wait for competition to start.

 As selection announcements are made and the names of those due to pull on the red vest are revealed, tensions are mounting and excitement at the prospect of competing heightens. But it is easy to overlook those working tirelessly behind the scenes.

There are coaches and support staff who we are indebted to and of course the first PE teachers and the first club coaches who recognised talent and potential.

 We must also thank Commonwealth Games Council for Wales - the national body entrusted to select and send a team of world class athletes to compete for Wales at the Commonwealth Games. It has done a superb job so far in creating the right environment for athletes to perform at their best. And I’m delighted that so many of our staff here at Sport Wales will be part of that team so that across physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, PR and so on, there will be plenty of familiar faces.

CGCW – together with local partners - also brought about all the amazing scenes during the Queen’s Baton Relay through Wales in May and really rallied the nation behind Team Wales.
 
 
 

But now it’s up to our athletes. We know they will push themselves to succeed because they have an unshakeable pride in what they do. I wish you all the very best of luck.

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