As Wales have been represented extensively through their sporting achievements this year, who have been the standout names in 2024, whether it’s putting themselves on the map or continuing at the top level, that have put on a fantastic showing.
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00:00It has been a remarkable year in Welsh sport, not just in Welsh football, but sport in general.
00:08Many standout names who have accomplished much for such a small nation that Wales is,
00:12but you know, they pack a big punch, it's fair to say.
00:15And so, as I say there, we're going to be looking at some of the biggest names, standout
00:18names from the 2024 calendar year who've made a real impact in Welsh sport, both domestically
00:25and in a global sense as well.
00:28So, you know, when I think of names, obviously you think of Craig Bellamy, who's taken over
00:32Robert Pages, the Welsh football manager.
00:34You've got some of the Olympians who, of course, who've made an impact at Paris 2024.
00:39So there's lots to go through, and I'm sure you'll have more to tell us about as well.
00:43So Charles, who has stood out in Welsh sport this year, and why have they stood out?
00:48Well, yeah, I think we'll start with the Olympics.
00:51It was an amazing summer, 14 GB, you know, just over the water in Paris, and a record
00:5633 Welsh Olympians represented Team GB at Paris 2024.
01:00Now, that's the largest Welsh contingent at an Olympic Games, which is quite remarkable
01:07for the nation to have that many.
01:10They also then, on top of that, Welsh Olympians received a record 13 medals, three golds,
01:17three silvers, seven bronzes.
01:18Now, just to reel off a few names that stand out, Anna Hersey became Wales's first ever
01:24Olympic table tennis player.
01:28She was fantastic.
01:29She sort of lit up the screen, and going into it as well, she was a name that was floating
01:33around so young and so enthusiastic, and was brilliant for Wales on that Team GB stage.
01:41Jasmine Joyce became the first British rugby player to appear at three different Olympic
01:46Games.
01:47So, you know, that's sort of the other side of it, but the longevity in there, and that
01:50was fantastic to see.
01:53Ruby Evans became the first Welsh gymnast to compete at the Olympics since 1996.
01:58So, I mean, just a few of these names are just showing that Wales have so much talent
02:03across an array of sports, and they're really showing that, and the Olympics was a brilliant
02:09platform for that.
02:11So, yeah, those few names there are fantastic.
02:15And then, of course, you have Anna Nabarka, who became the most decorated Welsh woman
02:19at the Olympics when she won her fourth medal.
02:22So, there's a lot of young talent coming through.
02:25There's a lot of longevity as well, and the Olympics was a brilliant stage for that, as
02:29I say.
02:30And, you know, you mentioned Craig Bellamy there.
02:32I think he deserves huge applaud.
02:34Welsh football was in a place where not many knew the future of it, not many knew where
02:38it would go, and Rob Page had a real indifferent tenure in charge of the nation.
02:45Craig Bellamy comes in.
02:46He's been a player.
02:47He's now a manager, and he's got his high ambitions, high expectations, and he's been
02:51fantastic for them so far and, you know, unbeaten.
02:55It's overall been fantastic by the individuals in Welsh sport this year.