Welsh hopefuls 2024

Paris Olympics 2024 - 26th July - 11 August 2024

WITH just two and a half years elapsed since the Tokyo Games, the anticipation mounts for the forthcoming Olympics and Paralympics set to grace Paris.

The delayed event in Tokyo has considerably shortened the wait for the subsequent Games, marking a return to Europe for the first time since the resounding success of London 2012.

In 2021, the prowess of Welsh athletes shone bright as 11 returned home adorned with medals from the Olympic Games. As the countdown ticks down until the Paris Olympics, we offer a glimpse into the potential stars of the summer.

Micky Beckett

Hailing from Solva, Pembrokeshire, sailor Michael Beckett stands as the premier Welsh athlete officially selected for the Paris Olympics. Aged 28, Beckett has solidified his stature among the globe’s elite ILCA 7 sailors, securing a European title in 2021 and clinching a world silver in 2023. With accolades such as twice conquering the prestigious Trofeo Princesa Sofia regatta, Beckett, undeterred by previous setbacks in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, eyes Marseille as his stage to shine and aims to transcend mere participation.

Matt Richards

Swimmer Matt Richards etched his name into history during the Tokyo Games, where, at a tender 18, he, alongside compatriot Calum Jarvis, propelled Great Britain to gold in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay. Their triumph marked Wales’ return to Olympic swimming glory since Irene Steer’s women’s 4x100m freestyle relay gold in 1912. While Jarvis has retired postTokyo, Richards, now 21, continues his ascent, clinching the men’s 200m freestyle world title last year, outpacing even Olympic champion Tom Dean. Poised for another Olympic stint, Richards sets his sights on individual glory this time around.

Emma Finucane

Track cyclist Emma Finucane emerged as a revelation in 2023, embarking on a meteoric rise that saw her clinch four national titles before ascending to European Championship podiums and ultimately seizing her maiden world title. Her crowning achievement as Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion since Becky James in 2013 has thrust her into the limelight, with Paris looming large on her horizon. Crowned BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year, Finucane eyes a triumphant campaign across three events – women’s sprint, team sprint, and keirin – with gold firmly within her grasp.

Josh Tarling

Teenage prodigy Josh Tarling exceeded all expectations in his inaugural season on the World Tour, swiftly establishing himself as one of the premier time trialists on the circuit. The 19-year-old prodigy clinched British and European titles and secured bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow, with only cycling luminaries Remco Evenepoel and Filippo Ganna outpacing him. As he dons the colours of both INEOS and Great Britain, Tarling sets his sights on scaling even greater heights this year.

Jeremiah Azu

Hailing from Cardiff, 22-year-old Jeremiah Azu stakes his claim as Wales’ fastest man in history. Azu shattered Christian Malcolm’s iconic men’s 100m record in 2023, clocking a blistering 10.04 en route to clinching gold at the U23 European Championships, a title he also seized in 2021. Despite falling short of expectations at the World Championships, Azu’s pedigree as one of Britain’s finest remains unscathed, as he eyes a pivotal role in both the men’s 4x100m relay and the individual event in Paris.

Jade Jones

Jade Jones, prior to Tokyo, enjoyed an unblemished record at the Olympic Games, securing Britain’s inaugural taekwondo gold as a teenager at London 2012 and successfully defending her title at Rio 2016. However, her quest for a historic third gold was derailed by a shock defeat in the opening round to Refugee Team contender Kimia Alizadeh. Undeterred, Jones relocated to Croatia under new tutelage, clinching five major titles in 2023 and cementing her berth for Paris as she continues to pursue her dream of Olympic immortality.

Rosie Eccles

For Caldicot boxer Rosie Eccles, the journey to qualifying for Tokyo 2020 was fraught with adversity. A debilitating virus inflicted nerve damage in her arm, casting doubt over her career’s trajectory. Despite a setback in the Olympic qualifiers, Eccles emerged triumphant, clinching gold for Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games upon her return to full fitness. With her Paris berth secured, she now aspires to emulate compatriot Lauren Price’s historic Olympic triumph in Tokyo.

THE 2024 Olympics in Paris, France promise to showcase the pinnacle of global sporting talent.

The Olympics embody moments of triumph and sportsmanship, as athletes from across the globe vie for the prestigious Olympic gold. While most athletes do not clinch victory, their participation immortalises them in the annals of Olympic history.

Unlike the World Championships held more frequently— every one to two years— the Olympics occur only once every four years, lending them unparalleled significance. Great Britain has enjoyed notable success at the Olympics. At London 2012, they secured third place in the medal standings with 29 golds; at Rio 2016, they claimed second with 27 golds; and in the most recent iteration, they secured fourth place with 22 golds. However, at Paris 2024, they will not contend for gold in football, as was the case in Rio and Tokyo.

It can be perplexing for many when they realise that one of the footballing powerhouses of the world does not field a team. This leads us to explore why Team GB lacks a men’s football team.

WHy TEAM gB DOESN’T COMPETE

Team GB did not seek qualification with a men’s team due to an impasse among the four home nations, fearing potential repercussions on their standing with FIFA and

UEFA. Unlike the World Cup and Euros, which are governed by FIFA and UEFA respectively, the Olympics fall under the jurisdiction of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Consequently, the constituent nations— England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—are amalgamated under the banner of Team GB for the Olympics. There exists apprehension in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland that endorsing Team GB for football might jeopardise their autonomy in future FIFA and UEFA events. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland favour maintaining autonomy in major football tournaments. The prevailing sentiment in these nations is that endorsing Team GB could lead to FIFA and

UEFA mandating its use, a concern they have harboured for decades, dating back to London 2012. Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter had reassured them during his tenure that this would not transpire.

England has often spearheaded efforts to assemble a unified team. In 2015, Dan Ashworth, the FA’s Director of Elite Development, articulated a policy valuing the Olympic tournament as pivotal for young players’ development. Attempts were made to field a team for Rio 2016, only to be rebuffed by the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish associations. This narrative encapsulates the enduring complexities surrounding this issue over the years.