Wales has a proud history when it comes to athletics, Aberystwyth was the first place to hold an official athletics meeting in Wales back in 1860, and we’ve gone from strength to strength since then.
At the Olympics, Wales has won 20 Gold, 11 Silver and 18 Bronze medals for Team GB in total. Not too bad for a small nation. For 2012 we’re hoping Welsh athletes will do Team GB proud, Hannah Mills is one of the first Welsh athletes selected to compete in London 2012.
At the Paralympics Welsh athletes regularly bring home the Gold. In the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Welsh athletes won 10 Gold, 3 Silver and One bronze – contributing 25% to the Team GB Gold Medal haul. Our athletes Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dave Roberts have both won 11 Gold medals each.
Our success at the Olympics and Paralympics has encouraged many international teams to come to Wales to prepare for the London 2012 games. Cardiff and Newport will host athletes including the Australian, New Zealand and South African Paralympic teams while they acclimatise to British conditions.