Non Stanford says she will fulfill her childhood dream when she leads Wales to the Commonwealth Games next month.
The former World Triathlon champion has been named as the Team Wales captain for the Games in Australia next month.
Stanford had to pull out of the 2014 Games in Glasgow due to a stress fracture in her left ankle. She had been crowned ITU World Triathlon champion in 2013.
“The Commonwealth Games has been a dream of mine since a young age and it was on my radar well before the Olympic Games,” said Stanford, 29, who finished an agonising fourth at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
“Growing up, my dream was to be able to compete for my country. Missing out on the last Games in Glasgow was really tough for me so I’m just thrilled to now have the opportunity to wear the red jersey and lead a strong Team Wales out in Gold Coast.
“It will be my first Commonwealth Games, so this is really exciting for me and it has pushed me to want to do an even better job for Wales and for the team. It’s certainly another incentive to get the team off to a great start.
“I’m competing on the first day of the Games, so I want to give it my all and try to inspire the rest of the team for the duration of competition.
“We’re so patriotic as a nation and it is always a special moment in your career, and unlike any other, when you get the chance to compete for Wales. I really hope the rest of Wales will get behind the team and show their support for Team Wales.”
Aled Davies was the Team Wales captain in Glasgow, when Wales came home with a record 36 medals, five of them gold. Stanford, who is currently training in Dubai, will be heading a team of more than 200 athletes.
“We are extremely pleased that Non has agreed to take on this important role in our team. The team captain is chosen for their leadership attributes and their ability to inspire other athletes by their attitude and behaviour in and out of the competition arena,” said Nicola Phillips, Team Wales Chef de Mission.
“The team captain is typically someone who has experienced a major Games and understands the added pressures of this environment and instils respect and belief amongst their team mates. Non will be able to lead by example, having already shown so much resilience to overcome previous injury to get to Gold Coast.”