New This Week!

Wales and the Water by Robert James

Robert James is Chief Executive of Swim Wales and a Board Member of British Swimming.

Here he talks through Welsh performances in the Olympic pool and his hopes for the future.

Once again, the Olympic swimming has produced one of the toughest competitions of the Games. We have seen a mix of established stars, and some remarkable young talent, pick up medals and it is clear that swimming is at a standard above what we have seen in the past.

Make no mistake, this British Swimming squad was strong and it was a battle for our five Welsh swimmers to win a place to swim in London.

And I was encouraged by the performances we have seen.

Jemma Lowe finished sixth in the 200m butterfly final - an event in which she finished ninth in Beijing in 2008. Jemma is a gutsy performer who is proving consistent on the World stage.

Georgia Davies produced a personal best morning swim and qualified sixth fastest overall in the heats in the 100m backstroke. In the semi-final, after putting so much effort into the heats, she was unable to replicate the time and make the final. It was Georgia’s first Olympics and she will benefit greatly from the experience. Her heat time showed the improvements she is making as she looks towards future meets.

Ieuan Lloyd, just 19 and also at his first Olympics, swam the fastest leg for the British 4x200m relay team when they finished their final in sixth place.

Marco Loughran is another who has got valuable Games experience as we look at how we can improve on our four medals won in Delhi when the Commonwealth Game comes to Glasgow in 2014.

And finally David Davies. David is one of Wales’ greatest ever Olympians and has been mixing with the World’s best distance swimmers throughout his career.  A third Olympic medal was just a bridge too far, but we all appreciate the work and dedication he has put in and it was an honour to watch him swim at a home Games in London.

Now the major focus for us at Swim Wales is preparing and planning for Glasgow in two years’ time. In Delhi we were Team Wales’ most decorated sport and we want to win medals again. Everyone is back at the beginning of September and we’re straight into the hard work again.

The swimmers mentioned above will have big hopes after their London 2012 experience.

There are also swimmers like Jazz Carlin, a double medallist in Delhi, who has fought hard with illness recently and just missed out on a place in London, who will be looking to peak again in Scotland.

We have some great young talent coming through.

At the Commonwealth Youth Games last year we won nine swimming medals, including a big haul for Ieuan Lloyd that highlighted his growing potential. We also have a strong young men’s relay squad who took gold.

Fifteen year-old Chloe Tutton recently won two medals at the European Junior Championships in Belgium.

The structure for identifying talent is growing all the time. We recently had 4,000 entries for our Summer Nationals – our highest ever.

Away from the elite level, we are working hard on all other aspects of swimming in Wales.

We know that positive experiences at an early age through school swimming or at a local swimming pool will encourage young people to want to swim more.

With our partners we are working hard on new resources, technology and marketing to make swimming and learn-to-swim a consistent model across Wales.

Currently around 63% of children in Wales can swim by the age of 11, just under 11,000 swimmers are a member of a swimming club and just under 4 million social participation swims take place in the country each year.

But we want every child to be a swimmer by 2020, 100,000 aquatic members by 2020, and 6.5 million social participation swims by 2014.

It’s all about trying to engage better and make swimming as fun and appealing as possible. As a governing body we have to use things like technology and keep up with social and cultural trends. A new online tool for young people and families to chart their learn-to-swim progress is one thing on the horizon.

Currently there are around 80 swimming clubs in Wales with 65 being development clubs for competition, and other forms aquatics such as water polo, while for the more gifted swimmers Swim Wales has 10 performance clubs working to maximise potential at Commonwealth or Olympic level.

It’s our job to make sure that those opportunities are available to all young people in Wales. We want clubs to work together with local authorities and private providers so that those different stages are available for young swimmers to move along.

I’m looking forward to seeing how our Paralympic swimmers perform in just a few weeks’ time. They have won medals in the past and we now have a chance to cement our reputation in disability swimming. We will talk more about disability swimming developments in the coming weeks.

See the new Swim Wales website www.swimwales.org

FIND YOUR NEAREST ATHLETICS CLUB!

William Ponissi of Welsh Athletics is our latest guest blogger. He spells out why we should take up athletics! 

Athletics is considered the king of Olympic sports, and it is not difficult to see why. Who can run the fastest?, jump the highest? or throw the farthest? – these questions have been in mankind’s mind since the beginning of times, and it is no wonder most of the track and field disciplines we know now were part of the original Games taking place in Olympia!

In addition to their historical significance, athletics disciplines are a great way to get fit and prepare for any other sport you may want to try: running, jumping and throwing are basic skills that can be transferred to every other discipline, from rugby to tennis, from gymnastics to judo. A good athletics base is a great way to build up for success for all sportspeople and it is not unusual to see footballers and others training on a track alongside full time track athletes.

 Joining a club is easy, with more than 75 affiliated to Welsh Athletics all around Wales, and can be done at any age. Clubs offer qualified and experienced coaching staff to assist with athlete development in a safe and healthy way, and by joining you can get access to a wide range of competitions in multiple disciplines such as track and field, cross country running, mountain and trail running and road races – there is something suited to everyone, 12 months a year.

The London 2012 Olympic Games promise to be a special moment for the sport in Wales, with an incredible five athletes from Wales called up to Team GB. Christian Malcolm, at his fourth Olympics, Brett Morse, Rhys Williams, Gareth Warburton and team captain Dai Greene are all products of the excellent club setup we have in Wales and testament to how our country is preparing for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where a record medal haul is on the cards.

Each of our Famous Five athletes was inspired, in their youth, by watching British Olympic stars’ successes at previous Games and we hope they will provide a similar example to all Welsh youngsters watching from home. London 2012’s aim to “inspire a generation” rests in the incredible power of inspiration Olympic success has – and our moment to shine is now.

Here's a list of your local athletics clubs - or call the Welsh Athletics office at 02920 644870.

Weight of Expectation by Jonathan Roberts #2012cymruwales

Jonathan Roberts is a former Commonwealth Games weightlifter who competed in Kuala Lumpur in 1988. Now he combines his time as a senior officer for Sport Wales with a role as chair of the Welsh Weightlifting Federation.

Here he talks about Olympic performances and the prospects of future success.

I genuinely believe weightlifting in Wales is in a good place at the moment and we’ve got real signs of optimism good into the next few years.

The first things to say is how proud I, and everyone in Welsh Weightlifting, was when it was announced that two of the five strong GB weightlifting team were our own Welsh lifters.

It was a fantastic achievement to make up 40% of the squad. Most of all, it was reward for the dedication and hard work that Natasha Perdue and Gareth Evans put in to compete at the very top level of their sport.

Both have had to make sacrifices and moved away from their families in Wales to train at the national performance centre in Leeds, which is a very difficult choice to make.

Having two athletes on such a small squad was such a massive boost for weightlifting in Wales and shows the next generation of talent that we are able to produce quality lifters.

Weightlifting is a minority sport in Britain. We read daily about football and rugby on our newspaper back pages. In some countries, such as China, India and Eastern Europe, it is the weightlifters who are among the sporting superstars.

These countries have a depth of talent that makes it hard for competitors from this country to medal. Tash finished 12^th and Gareth 17^th, fantastic achievements on the Olympic stage.

Looking ahead, Gareth lifted personal bests in both the snatch and clean and jerk disciplines. As a lifter, you want to be improving and making personal bests. With two years until the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014, Gareth will be in confident mood that he can work his way onto that podium. The only other Commonwealth athlete placed higher than Gareth in London was the Indian lifter in 15^th place.

Tash is moving back to South Wales from Leeds and, no doubt, will be pestering me for training sessions.

But away from those two, the young talent coming through in Wales is exciting.

Teenage super-heavyweight Darius Jokarzadeh, a relative newcomer to the sport having only taken it up two years ago, just missed out on making the Olympic standard himself.

In my opinion, he is one of the most exciting young sporting talents in Wales at the moment.

The highlight of his short career so far came in October last year when he broke the Great Britain under 18 record on his way to junior gold at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships in South Africa.

The first place in the under 20 competition for 105+ kg super heavyweights just another sign of his potential. And he’s smashed more records since.

Just like Darius, Caldicot’s Jake Davies won gold in South Africa. Jake’s success capping a good trip for Wales as he took first place in the youth (under 18) 94kg class.

At the recent British Championships Flintshire lifter Stephanie Owen won the women’s 69kg class while Gemma Williams took the 75+kg class.

We now have coaches in North and South Wales who are having quality contact with our emerging talent.

A big plus for the sport is that the last few years has seen a huge growth in CrossFit. CrossFit is a global exercise and fitness programme – much like circuit training – that includes Olympic weightlifting as part of its routines. With a number of CrossFit venues across Wales, it has enabled more people to try Olympic weightlifting and for us to hold master classes and do talent ID for potential for us to work with. We have also been training coaches at CrossFit venues.

This is as well as venues like the Holyhead and Anglesey Weightlifting and Fitness Centre, which has seen massive investment recently.

My hope is that we can continue momentum, and jump on the back of brands like CrossFit and get the message out there that weightlifting is accessible for the new generation of people looking for sport and exercise.

Try weightlifting or CrossFit:

http://hawfc.co.uk/

http://crossfitnw1.com/

http://www.reebokcrossfitvelocity.com/

http://www.crossfit-sa1.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.dragoncrossfit.com/

http://www.crossfitcardiff.com/

http://www.celticleisure.org/neath_sports.htm

New Shop, Bicycle and Bantam!

We've moved all our caps and fingerboard products to a new shop opposite GOSSIP. It's called GOO and you can find it beside Cheers. Opening hours are Monday to Sun 12pm to 10pm.

Introducing the Fourstar Linus Bike. This bike was produce to commemorate the 15 year anniversary of Fourstar. It is a limited edition bike and you can see view the actual product at GOO. Price is $950.



Games Maker - Tom Overton

We've been hearing from Sport Wales staff who are joining the thousands of volunteers who'll be keeping the Games ticking behind the scenes. Tom Overton is Sport Wales South Central Manager but during Games time he's been working with the Referee Liaison Team.

We’re a week in now and most of the critics have been converted. Even Uncle Arthur has been watching water polo. But there are still a few doom mongers around. If you’re one of them I’d suggest you stop reading.

Game on: I’ve got the refs this far, they’re on their own now

This is about the passion, the dedication, the excitement and the camaraderie of the Olympic games and I make no apologies for absolutely fizzing about the Olympics, the athletes, and my role as a Games Maker.

 If I’m honest, when I applied to be a Games Maker back in 2010, I’d pictured carrying Mr Bolt’s kit out onto the track for the 100m final. But I was also realistic and can still remember saying that I just wanted to be involved in the Olympics and would be happy "flipping burgers or emptying bins."

As it turns out I was needed for none of the above, so here I am on my first shift in the referee liaison team for the matches at the Millennium Stadium. I’m looking after teams of referees who travel up from London and spend three days in sunny Wales; the afternoon/evening before the matchday, the matchday itself and the following morning.



Croeso: The female referees arrive in Cardiff

There are four of us in the team with each covering a few games. The first experience of the transport office reminded me of the 2012 satire on the BBC - all lanyards, laptops and walkie talkies with no-one really knowing what was going on. But you soon realise that there is actually a hugely efficient machine behind the games, as is the case with the Cardiff team.

My logistics manager Roman (a Brains beer drinking Moscovite) came with me to collect my referee team for the Brazil women’s game on the first day of the Olympics. He asked if I needed a sign. I suggested that as I was dressed in bright purple and orange from head to toe, with a big 2012 handbag resting as ‘cooly’ as possible across my shoulder, I would have no problem standing out at rush hour at Cardiff Central station. After 30mins of “what’s in your handbag mate?” and “I’ve had a few beers. Could me and the wife have a picture with the Olympicsshh?” the referees sashayed off the train, in their fitted suits. The first referees had landed.



Breaking the security convoy to see the sights of Cardiff



The women’s football is fantastic, particularly as I’m in the thick of it behind the scenes. The female referees have taken holiday and are as excited to be here as the volunteers. Bibi from Germany is a policewoman  and I certainly wouldn’t argue with her. While Carol-Anne is a government official from Canada. On match-day one the referee team wanted to break the security convoy to have pictures outside city hall:

"we’re just real people who want to meet people and see Cardiff."

They spent an hour having pictures taken with teenagers (and me) who couldn’t believe they had just refereed the Brazil game. After the second game the referee team wanted taking to the shops to buy souvenirs of their time in Wales (Links of London if you’re interested!), before heading back to the stadium to support their friends officiating the GB game. I did suggest a post-match chicken madras in Canton, but they politely declined. The FIFA assessor debriefing and a morning training session might’ve had something to do with it.  

This week I’m on the sport info desk at the Hilton, dressing room assistant for the GB men, and spending a day helping out at the training ground.  All in a week’s work for a Gamesmaker. To be continued...

Keep track of all our Welsh athletes at London 2012 and follow  @Thomasfrombrum and @sport_wales on Twitter for all the latest news. Remember to use the #2012cymruwales hash tag!

Games Maker - Richard Dando (Part 2)

We've been hearing from Sport Wales staff who are joining the thousands of volunteers who'll be keeping the Games ticking behind the scenes. Fresh from a shift at the Opening Ceremony we hear from Senior Officer, Richard Dando, who has been chosen as a Games Maker official with the Event Services team based at the Olympic Stadium.  

What a week I’ve had as a Gamesmaker for London 2012 based at the Olympic Stadium. In fact, the experience has far exceeded any expectations I had prior and I’ve loved every minute so far. 

Grandstand seat: Richard's view of the Opening Ceremony

Monday and Wednesday were the public rehearsals for the opening ceremony where everybody was asked to #savethesurprise by creator Danny Boyle while Friday was the real thing being broadcast to an estimated 1 billion people worldwide!

So far my roles have been mainly directing people to their seats and around the stadium to try and ensure their visit is as positive as possible. This is the memory we want visitors to take away with them, not the queues on Stratford station post event! I also had a spell in charge of pushchair and wheelchair storage which got quiet hectic at the end of the show when everybody came at once. Pushchairs all look the same to me folded down!

I won’t bore you with details of the ceremony itself, as I’m sure everyone has seen the amazing footage, but it was pretty special to be there in person and witness not only the ceremony but the reaction of spectators to the ceremony. A couple of things have stood out for me this week:

• There is a real desire to volunteer amongst Games Makers that I’ve met. Yes the Olympic and Paralympic appeal helps, as it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, but how do we translate any learnings from London 2012 into community sport? Having friendly faces welcoming people to clubs and events could be a start. Just follow @GM_Stories on twitter for some great Games Maker tales.
• Whether you’re a Games Maker, LOCOG member of staff or agency worker, everyone is in the same kit  and I feel this has avoided any hierarchy issues between paid and unpaid staff and created a great team spirit of everyone pulling together to put on a great games.
• We all know that sport doesn’t happen without volunteers so it was good to hear IOC President Jacques Rogge recognising the important role they play during his opening speech.
• There was lots of speculation on who was going to light the flame and although I had a tip off that young people were going to be involved it was fantastic to see seven young athletes have the honour.  One of those seven was Jordon Duckitt, the current UK Young Ambassador steering group chair which not only helped put  the movement well and truly in the limelight, but highlighted the importance of engaging young people in ‘inspiring a generation’ or ‘getting every child hooked on sport for life’.  Sport Wales and our partners must continue to engage properly with young people.

I’ve got  a few days back in normality before heading back to London for six shifts during the athletics starting on Sunday and I’ll do another updatet then.  In the meantime, if you’re more interested in which celebs I’ve spotted or said ‘sut mae’ to then give me a shout @richdando78. 

Keep track of all our Welsh athletes at London 2012 and follow @sport_wales on Twitter for all the latest news. Remember to use the #2012cymruwales hash tag!