Newly crowned European sprint champion Jeremiah Azu was joined on the panel by World and Olympic Champion Emma Finucane, Commonwealth Gold medallist Rosie Eccles and Olympic gymnast Ruby Evans.

Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March across the 74 Nations and Territories in the Commonwealth.

The main Commonwealth Day service, led by King Charles and held at Westminster Abbey were joined by representatives from across the Commonwealth, including Welsh Commonwealth and Olympic champion Aled Sion Davies, and three times Welsh Commonwealth netballer Bethan Dyke.

In addition to celebrating Wales’s talented athletes, Commonwealth Day in Wales is also focussed on the importance of community, and local schools have been central to the event since Team Wales began hosting their own events since 2018.

Young harpist Anwen Thomas from Ysgol Penweddig opened the event as guests arrived at the historical venue. Primary pupils from Ysgol Plascrug gave the audience an historical overview of Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games since it began in 1930 (then known as The Empire Games). Ysgol Llanilar’s choir gave an impressive performance, and they also joined international singer Gwawr Edwards for a rendition of the famous Welsh hymn, ‘Calon Lan’.

The event was closed with the National Anthem, led by Gwawr and joined by the athletes, schools, Team Wales partners and all the guests in the audience.

The team at the National Library of Wales also produced a display of historical archived content of Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games, including the 1958 Games, which was hosted by Wales in Cardiff.

Chief Executive of Team Wales Rebecca Edwards-Symmons said ‘’What a day! Commonwealth Day here in Wales is like no other event we host. The talent we had on that stage, from the amazing athletes sharing their inspirational stories to the young local talent to hearing the impeccable voice of Gwawr Edwards, it just demonstrates the community and pride we have here in Wales. For many of the audience it was their first time at a Team Wales event, and the feedback we have had just affirms the support we all have for each other. Hosting this year’s event at the iconic National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth was also extra special. And of course, marking 500 days to go until the Games next year just gives us that added excitement of the months ahead as we prepare Team Wales and head to Scotland for our 23rd Commonwealth Games.’’