As the nation still revels in the success of Wales at the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Sports Council for Wales has today welcomed a review by the Welsh Assembly Government into Welsh sporting performance and excellence.

The Minister has paid tribute to the hard work and determination of all those involved in this summer of sporting success: the athletes, their families, coaches, the governing bodies of sport and the Sports Council for Wales. 

He has announced that a review will now examine how we can build on these achievements and further improve Wales’ performance on the national and international stage. The review into delivering performance and excellence in Welsh sport will be carried out in conjunction with the Sports Council for Wales and other key partners.

Philip Carling – Chair of the Sports Council for Wales – today looked forward to raising the bar on Beijing:

“Following the success of Welsh athletes at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing there will be a clamour, and indeed this has already begun in some areas, for increased investment in Performance and Excellence in Wales.

“It is highly appropriate then, that we review the current position to ensure that both the current spend and additional investment is closely targeted.  Investing smartly is the way forward. The Sports Council for Wales strongly welcomes the Minister’s initiative and his timely response to our success in Beijing.”

This year, Wales has enjoyed the most successful Olympic Games for the nation since 1908 as Tom James, Nicole Cooke and Geraint Thomas all stormed home with gold. And the Paralympians were certainly not to be outdone. The Welsh contingent – comprising of 31 Welsh sportsmen and women -  – delivered 14 medals, ten of them gold. Indeed, Wales’ gold medal tally amounted to almost 25% of the GB haul of golds. Per capita, Wales finished at the top of the medals table.

The Sports Council for Wales today explained that it is keen to play a central role, along with its partners, in developing plans to cultivate and support future talent.