WELSHMEN’S DEADLY RI LIVING IN the SHADOWS
winger of rugby legend and a fine athlete himself, who sprinted for Wales at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
“Dad’s got tickets to watch me and that will be great,” says Rhys, who is now 28 and for whom this is likely to be a final chance of Olympic success free of the shadows.
“All the talk about my dad doesn’t bother me. I usually get introduced as his son, rather than as someone who has European titles at all levels in athletics, from junior to senior.
“We get on so well, and I think I’m so much like him in terms of discipline and commitment.
“It’s good and bad having a father who was a well-known sportsman. When I’ve competed, my dad knows whether I’ve done myself justice.
“Some people’s parents will say, ‘Oh, that’s brilliant, that’s fantastic’, when actually it wasn’t. He’s helped to give me very high standards.
“It can be bad if you’re not running well, though – geez, he will tell me. But that’s because he knows how hard I work and how much he hopes I’ll get the rewards.
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