Welsh Athletics’ final athletes confirmed for GC2018

The Commonwealth Games Wales (CGW) Selection Committee have confirmed the final selection for the Welsh athletics squad heading to the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Dai Greene, Carys Parry and Caryl Granville all met the selection criteria ahead of the March 4th deadline. 

Curtis Mathews has also been selected for the team, however Seren Bundy-Davies has decided to withdraw her nomination. 

Helen Phillips, Chair of the Commonwealth Games Wales Board, said: 

“We’re very happy to confirm even more great news on selection this week, and delighted to formally welcome Dai, Carys, Caryl and Curtis to Team Wales! Congratulations to the four of them on meeting the selection criteria within the timescale given. We wish Seren the very best of luck as she continues with her preparations for the European Championships this summer.

“Following the announcement of the netball and hockey squads last week, we now only have the men’s and women’s rugby 7s squads to go before our athletes have all been named. We’re now only a month away from the Opening Ceremony, and are extremely excited to see all athletes across the sports perform and make Wales proud out in Australia.” 

Welsh Athletics statement:

Dai Greene and Carys Parry will head to their fourth Games having both met selection criteria for the Commonwealth Games in the last week leading up to the deadline. They will become the 7^th & 8^th Welsh athletes to compete at 4 games, joining Colin Jackson, Ron Jones, Steve Jones, Christian Malcolm, Berwyn Price, and Philippa Roles.

Former World Champion, Dai, has based himself in South Africa during February in order to find opportunities to race and get the time needed. He shared his emotions after running 49.49 in Potchefstroom on Tuesday evening via social media:

“I’ve only ever been in tears after 3 races. 2010 Euros. 2012 Olympics. And today. That’s what this means to me. Big step in my journey back to where I want to be #GoldCoast2018”

In contrast it will finally be a first Games for Caryl Granville who passed her fitness test this week, and will head to the Gold Coast after the disappointment of missing out on both Delhi and Glasgow, and having to go through the appeals process this time round.

“To be actually in the team, I’m really proud to have been selected and a little bit shocked. I’m really, really excited to be going.” said Caryl.

Cardiff multi-eventer, Curtis Mathews, gets a call up from the reserve list to join Ben Gregory in the Decathlon again, having both finished in the top 10 in Glasgow four years ago:

“The Commonwealths was always my main focus for 2018, but I thought my chance had gone to be honest, everyone said ‘keep going, you never know’, but it was hard. So, I decided to go out to the Winter Olympics with my girlfriend Mica Moore, and then the second day there I got the call saying I was in, I couldn’t believe it! Luckily my coach, Mica’s dad Lawrence, was out there too, and so we manged to find some snow and ice-free places for me to keep training. The training’s gone well, and I’ll look to compete out on the Gold Coast before the Games start. I’m really excited and grateful to have the chance to go and compete in my second games for Wales.”

Scott Simpson, Head of Performance, commented: “It’s great to be able to confirm our team, preparations are all going well, and we head to our holding camp on the Sunshine coast in just 2 weeks. Having the experience of Dai and Carys in the team will be fantastic, I’m so pleased for them both after the hard work and dedication both they and their support teams have put in to get themselves on the plane. Each athlete has had their own journey to get here, but now we all come together and we’ll be ensuring we are as prepared as we can be when the Games start in just a few weeks time.”

Unfortunately Seren Bundy-Davies has decided to withdraw her nomination, and will now focus her attentions on success in the European Championships this summer.

Final Welsh Athletics Team for Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Para-Athletes (announced in November 2017)