Rosie Eccles and Daniel Salmon are the unsung heroes of Team Wales - now they're about to take centre stage! The dynamic duo will lead the Welsh contingent into the opening ceremony at the Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday night, with boxer Eccles proudly bearing the flag and bowler Salmon shouldering the baton. It's a dream come true for both athletes, who are set to compete in their respective disciplines - and what an honour it is, given the calibre of Welsh talent that will be joining them.
For Caldicot's Rosie Eccles, this is more than just another Commonwealth Games appearance - it's a chance to celebrate her 30th birthday in style. The reigning champion has been on fire since Birmingham, where she secured her second gold medal at the Games (her first was at Gold Coast in 2018). When we spoke to Eccles, she was still pinching herself: 'I'm speechless,' she exclaimed, 'it's an unreal, huge honour' to be chosen as flag bearer. And what's more, it's not just about her - it's about the entire Team Wales squad.
Cardiff-born Daniel Salmon is another proud Welshman who's been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The 32-year-old will be competing in the men's pairs bowls alongside Ross Owen, with high hopes of securing his third Commonwealth Games gold medal (he already has two under his belt from 2018 and 2022). When we told him about being baton bearer, Salmon was visibly emotional - 'I just play bowls,' he humbly said, 'but this is an amazing experience.' We're not surprised to see these two talented athletes leading the way for Team Wales!
Team Wales chef de mission Gethin Jones has hailed Eccles and Salmon as 'brilliant ambassadors' for their country - and we couldn't agree more. They are, without a doubt, the right choice to lead our team into this year's Games.
The opening ceremony in Glasgow is just around the corner, marking the official start of the Commonwealth Games. With Eccles and Salmon at the helm, it promises to be an unforgettable spectacle - not just for Team Wales, but for the entire Commonwealth community. The spirit of competition is alive and well, and we can't wait to see what these two talented Welsh athletes bring to the table.