A hero’s welcome planned for Welsh members of Team GB

As the 2012 Olympics draw to a close, First Minister Carwyn Jones has announced a homecoming event for Welsh athletes who were part of Team GB (Sun 12th Aug).

The announcement comes as the world awaits the closing ceremony of the Games where the Olympic Flame will be extinguished, signalling the end of the event.

The Welsh Government and National Assembly for Wales are organising a joint welcome home celebration event for Welsh Olympians and Paralympians on the 14th September.

The First Minister said:

“Everyone in Wales can be truly proud of what our athletes have achieved as part of Team GB. Their determination and drive has been truly inspirational and made a huge contribution to Britain’s record medal haul.

“The UK can congratulate itself on what it has achieved at these Olympics, from the wonderful creative vision of Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony, through to the flawless sporting events themselves; these have been the greatest Games ever.

“Wales has played its part, from hosting the training camps of a number of nations ahead of Games, to welcoming the world to the Millennium Stadium for the 11 Olympic football matches. We have strong Welsh links to Team GB’s world beating cycling team, who held some of their pre-Games training at the Velodrome in Newport.

“That is why we are organising a homecoming event in Cardiff for both our Olympic and Paralympic heroes on the Friday the 14th September. We will release more details of the event closer to the time, but I call on everyone who can to turn out and give them the welcome home they deserve.”

Sports Minister, Huw Lewis said:

“The London Games will surely be remembered as amongst the finest in the history of the Olympic movement and will certainly live long in the collective memory of our small nation. The success of our Welsh athletes is something we can be extremely proud of and their inspiring performances have already resulted in a noticeable increase in interest at sports clubs up and down the country.”

Presiding Officer of the National Assembly Rosemary Butler said:

“The eyes of the world have been on the UK during the past two weeks and Wales has played a central role in putting on a sporting and cultural feast of which we can all be proud.

“We have successfully hosted Olympic events, as well as having provided world class training facilities for athletes from all over the world.

“But it is the Welsh athletes who have really put Wales on the map with their dedicated, and often courageous, performances at all the Olympic arenas.

“Some have won medals and we are rightly proud of them, but all those Welsh athletes who took part are heroes and role models to us all. So on behalf of Assembly Members and staff, I look forward to welcoming all our Olympians and Paralympians to the Senedd on the 14th September for a true heroes welcome home.”