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08/06/2022 00:00, In Blog / Track & Field / Commonwealth Games /

We are delighted to share the news that of the athletes nominated, Team Wales have selected 24 athletes to represent Wales at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. As well as a host of experienced global championship performers, there will be 14 athletes making their Commonwealth Games debuts in Birmingham.

Three times paralympic gold medallist, Aled Davies OBE will be gunning for the podium after today being named by Team Wales to compete at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

He will feature amongst a 24-strong athletics team and will be competing in the men’s discus.

Davies said:

“To represent your country is a real honour and to represent Wales is a very special achievement in anyone’s career. I am such a proud Welshman and extremely patriotic so I am delighted to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games. This is the one title that eludes me so finishing second in Glasgow was the biggest learning curve in my career and I am now ready to right the wrongs. 

 

“It’s a fantastic squad, we are not there merely to make the numbers - we are there to take medals and be competitive. I’r Gad (To the battle)”.

Olivia Breen will be hoping to take home gold in the T38 100m following her bronze four years ago at Gold Coast.

Tokyo 2020 Olympian, Jake Heyward, is already showing great form this season, setting a new Welsh Mile record of 3:51.99 in Eugene at the end of May. Having proven he can compete at the highest level, Jake will be looking for a medal winning performance in what will no doubt be a highly competitive event. One of those competitors will be Pontypridd Roadents’ Piers Copeland, who took the British Indoor title in Birmingham earlier this year.

Melissa Courtney-Bryant (1500m) is coming into form with two recent 4.04 clockings and will be looking her to bring her championship racing know how to Birmingham with a view to improve on her Gold Coast bronze medal.

Race walking duo, Bethan Davies and Heather Lewis, will take on the 10,000m on the track rather than the road this time around, and will be looking to gain success again following Bethan’s Bronze medal winning performance on the Gold Coast.

Bethan commented:

“I feel truly honoured to have been selected by Team Wales to represent at the Commonwealth Games for a second time, it's a sense of pride like no other.

 

“Since my bronze medal winning performance over 20km on the Gold Coast roads there have been changes to the walks. The CWG distance has dropped to 10,000m and is now track based which increases the technical scrutiny, potentially meaning even more drama and excitement! I cannot wait to share this experience with more of my family and friends and showcase the event I love to an almost home crowd. Cymru am byth!”

European Under 23 100m Gold medallist, Jeremiah Azu, will be making his Commonwealth debut and pushing for a podium spot after some great early season performances on the Diamond League circuit. Rhondda based Paralympic T38 sprinter and Glasgow Commmonwealth Bronze medallist, Rhys Jones, will also compete in the 100m.

Olympian Joe Brier will look to build on his excellent start to the season in the 400m which has seen him PB and win on the new Birmingham Alexandra Stadium track at the Diamond League event in May.

Welsh record holder, Osian Jones, will go to his third commonwealth games in the Hammer, looking to build on his performance in Glasgow and the Gold Coast.

A strong group of throwers also includes winter Olympian, Adele Nicoll, who’ll be bringing her power and speed to the shot putt circle, and US based Hammer thrower Amber Simpson, who has consistently improved over the last two years and PB’d already this season. Jac Palmer will also join Osian and Amber in the Hammer, making his debut at Birmingham this summer following representing Great Britain at the European Winter Throws Cup and becoming the English Under 23 Champion two years runnng. Former elite rugby player, Harrison Walsh, will debut at the Commonwealth Games in the F44 Discus. Paralympian Julie Rogers will throw in the F42-44 Discus having converted from sprinting after Rio 2016. 

Following excellent recent performances in the Diamond League, and over 200m at the British Indoor Championships, Hannah Brier was successful in being awarded a development position by Team Wales and will join her brother Joe in the team.

Gold Coast and London 2017 World Championships steeplechaser Jonny Hopkins will again take on the barriers at Birmingham

In the 5000m, Jenny Nesbitt, will look to bring her spring of altitude training and competitive racing in the US to the fore as she races at her second games.

In form Beth Kidger will take on the 5000m in which she set a new lifetime best of 15.49 earlier this season, having also set a 3000m PB of 9.06 in early July. She is jointly coached by brother Joel and Geoff Watkins, and represented Great Britain at the European Athletics Team Championships last summer.

Cardiff Half Marathon winner and Welsh women’s marathon record holder, Natasha Cockram, has determinedly been putting in the miles and will look for a strong performance on the roads of Birmingham. She’s joined in the Marathon by Dewi Griffiths and Clara Evans who ran 70.17 for the half marathon this year and is second to Natasha on the Welsh all-time list for the event.

In addition to those athletes who have been selected by Team Wales following the nomination process, Welsh Athletics were delighted to accept a direct invitation from the Commonwealth Games Federation for Lauren Evans to represent Wales in the women’s heptathlon.

Welsh Athletics National Coach, Chris Jones said:

“Welsh athletes faced the toughest ever selection criteria for Birmingham 2022, so I am delighted to confirm 24 athletes will be joining Team Wales from athletics.

 

“I am proud that the work and dedication of the whole team has been recognised by this selection and I am excited to see how the athletes perform.

 

"Within the team we have a great mix of experienced athletes who will be returning for their second and third Commonwealth Games combined with 14 young athletes who will be making their debuts at Birmingham. “

Meanwhile Fiona Reid, CEO Disability Sport Wales is also feeling upbeat:

“It is so exciting to see the Welsh Athletics Commonwealth Games Team announced today with such a fantastic group of athletes - some of whom have previously competed on the International stage while others will gain invaluable experience being in Birmingham.  An inclusive team full of great talent!”

The Welsh Athletics team will be introduced to the crowd at the Welsh Senior Outdoor Championships on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th June at Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith. Spectators tickets can be purchased here.

Team Wales Athletics Team for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games

You can keep up-to-date with with all the latest news on the Comonwealth Games here.