THIS year’s Olympic Games boasts the highest number of Welsh Olympians to compete in the games, with seven of them already having won medals.

Wales has seen similar success in the Paralympics with nine Welsh track and field athletes, showing how much potential Wales has to offer the sporting world.

Having sporting opportunities in a community is an issue I am hugely passionate about, and I believe that Wales still has a lot to give on the international sports arena. Just two weeks ago rising star Kyle Booth, a 14-year-old from Rhoose, broke a British swimming record for the 15 and under 200m breast stroke.

Community sport is a top priority of mine; in order for young people to strive and achieve they need to have access to facilities that will support their needs. That’s why the news of six new 3G pitches to be built in Colcot Sports Centre this month is a great step towards getting more people involved, and I would like to again praise the Vale council for taking this issue seriously.

These pitches allow training to take place despite the weather, meaning less cancelled matches and more opportunity for youngsters to get out and get active. It is also an important step in closing the gap between ambitions and available facilities.

However, the disappointing decision to shelve Wales’ bid to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games shows that there is still a long way to go in the field of sports development.

I feel that it is of great importance that Wales continues to cement its place on the international sporting stage, not only in terms of competing but also in delivering these events.

Our Welsh Olympians have proven to us that we are capable of supporting some of the top athletes in the world, it is unfortunate that we haven’t taken this opportunity to further prove how much potential we have.

Although the closing ceremony may be only a few days away, perhaps in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics we shall see our very own Vale athletes competing after more positive steps such as that of more 3G pitches for our aspiring top-tier footballers.