Wales is set to have its largest contingent of athletes at an Olympic Games in over a century, with a record 31 Welsh athletes included in Team GB for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This will be the most significant Welsh representation at an overseas Games, surpassing all but one previous count—32 athletes at the London 1908 Games, where Wales entered its own hockey team and won bronze.

Out of the 31 Welsh athletes in Paris, 17 will be making their Olympic debut. The youngest, gymnast Ruby Evans, is just 17 years old, while the oldest, sailor Chris Grube, is 39 and attending his third Games. High hopes are pinned on 21-year-olds swimmer Matt Richards and track cyclist Emma Finucane, both of whom won individual world titles last year. Josh Tarling will also aim for gold in the men’s time trial.

Notably, Wales will have a table tennis player at the Olympics for the first time, with 18-year-old Anna Hursey selected. Additionally, Jeremiah Azu, the fastest man in Welsh history, will be the first Welshman to race the 100m at an Olympics in over fifty years. Jade Jones will be striving for her third gold in taekwondo, aiming to become Wales’ greatest female Olympian.

The class of 2024 hopes to surpass the record 10 Olympic medals won by Welsh athletes at Rio 2016, four of which were gold.

Athletics

Jeremiah Azu

Age: 23. From: Cardiff. Events: Men’s 100m, Men’s 4x100m relay

Only one Welsh athlete has ever run 100 metres in under 10 seconds: Jeremiah Azu. The 23-year-old clocked 9.97 seconds in Germany in May, ranking joint eighth on the all-time British list. He secured his Olympic spot by finishing second at the trials in Manchester in June. The next day, he was back in Cardiff, attending his father Alex’s church service. Azu attributes his athletic success to his religious beliefs and now targets the Olympic 100m final and a medal in the 4x100m relay.

Key dates: The men’s 100m heats start on Saturday, 3 August, with the semi-finals and final on Sunday, 4 August. Azu will also compete in the men’s 4x100m relay on Friday, 9 August.
Azu says: “I never want to be in something to just be mediocre—I want to go there and be the best.”

Rugby Sevens

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers

Age: 28. From: St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Events: Women’s rugby sevens

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers – known as Jaz – will become the first British rugby player to go to three Olympic Games. And she will be hoping to finally come back with a medal. She was part of the GB women’s team to finish fourth in both Rio and Tokyo. With almost 40 caps for Wales, she’s known for her speed on the rugby pitch – something that comes into its own in sevens.

Key dates: The women’s rugby sevens event is held over three days from Sunday, 28, until Tuesday, 30 July at the Stade de France.

Joyce says: “Fourth place is almost the worst position you can come. You’d rather come last. The last two Olympics we’ve expected to medal but now we’re coming in under the radar. There’s a different fight about us.”

Sailing

Micky Beckett

Age: 29. From: Solva, Pembrokeshire. Event: Men’s Dinghy (ILCA 7)

During the last Olympics, Micky Beckett was involved in TV production for the Games, advising directors on race narratives. Since then, he has proven his ability to compete at the highest level. The West Walian has earned European gold, world silver and bronze, as well as silver at the Paris 2024 test event. He has also won the ILCA 7 dinghy class at the prestigious Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in Mallorca each year since 2022.

Key Dates: The men’s dinghy event takes place at Marseille Marina from Thursday, 1 August, with two races a day until the top 10 boats advance to the medal races on Tuesday, 6 August, where double points are on offer.

Beckett comments: “The pressure’s there. But I thought, do I want to be an outsider, an underdog – or do I want to go in as the favourite? If you go in as the favourite, it means you’ve had that winning experience. By winning those medals, that’s given me the experience which hopefully will stand me in good stead.”

Chris Grube

Age: 39. From: Chester (Welsh mother). Event: Mixed Dinghy (470)

Chris Grube, the oldest Welsh athlete at the Games at 39, returns for his third Olympics. Despite finishing fifth in the last two Games, he now competes in the mixed dinghy event, where a man and a woman team up. After considering retiring following Tokyo, Grube has partnered with 23-year-old Vita Heathcote and their silver medal at this year’s World Championships has raised hopes for a successful final Olympic appearance.

Key Dates: The mixed dinghy event begins on Friday, 2 August, at Marseille Marina, with two races a day until the top ten boats move into the medal races on Wednesday, 7 August, where double points are again at stake.

Grube says: “Olympic sailing has always been the spark for me. Ever since I was sailing around Bala Lake at 10 years old. This for me is the main event. Our potential is huge, especially off the back of the World Championships.”

Table Tennis

Anna Hursey

Age: 18. From: Carmarthen. Events: Women’s singles; mixed doubles

You may have been aware of Anna Hursey for some time. Back in 2018 she made headlines around the world when she was selected by Team Wales for the Commonwealth Games at just 11 years old. She went to the next Commonwealths in Birmingham as a 16-year-old and won an historic bronze medal alongside Charlotte Carey in the women’s doubles. Still only 18, Hursey is used to rewriting the history books and she will do so again this summer as she becomes the first Welsh table tennis player to go to an Olympics.

Key dates: The table tennis competition begins on day one, Saturday, 27 July, when Wales will have an Olympic table tennis player for the first time.

Hursey says: “I’m really excited. I feel this is just the beginning of my career and hopefully I can go to many more Olympics. My target [for Paris] is to be the best I can be.”

Boxing

Rosie Eccles

Age: 27 (28 on 23 July). From: Caldicot. Event: Women’s 66kg

Rosie Eccles has been dreaming of the Olympics since she was eight and has been trying to qualify for six years. Her Olympic hopes were dashed by Covid in early 2020, which caused severe pain in her neck and arm. After missing Tokyo, she bounced back to win Commonwealth gold in 2022. Eccles is now aiming for Olympic gold, which her former teammate Lauren Price won in Tokyo.

Key dates: Eccles’ campaign for gold begins on Sunday, 28 July, with the final scheduled for Friday, 9 August.
Eccles says: “This is my one Olympics. This is my one shot. If I take one fight at a time and bring my best, I can win that gold medal.”

Cycling

Elinor Barker

Age: 29. From: Cardiff. Events: Women’s team pursuit, Women’s madison

Elinor Barker’s third Olympic Games will be her first since becoming a mother in 2022. After winning silver in the team pursuit in Tokyo, she made a remarkable comeback post-pregnancy, winning two world titles in 2023. Barker aims to add to her Olympic silver and gold medals.

Key dates: Women’s team pursuit on 6 and 7 August, Women’s madison on 9 August.
Barker says: “I certainly feel calmer than the previous two Olympics. And a little bit wiser maybe, which probably makes me sound quite old! But I’m still very motivated. I’d be lying if I said I wanted to come away with anything other than two gold medals.”

Emma Finucane

Age: 21. From: Carmarthen. Events: Women’s sprint, Women’s team sprint, Women’s keirin

At 21, Emma Finucane is already a world and European champion in sprint cycling. She is poised to challenge for three gold medals in Paris, making her Olympic debut highly anticipated.

Key dates: Women’s team sprint on 5 August, Women’s keirin final on 8 August, Women’s individual sprint final on 11 August.
Finucane says: “I’ve been training really hard for this. After all the hard work I’ve put in, I want success out of that. I’m driven by being successful and winning Olympic gold medals.”

Ella Maclean-Howell

Age: 19. From: Llantrisant. Event: Women’s cross country mountain bike

Ella Maclean-Howell will be the first Welsh mountain biker to compete in the Olympics. She earned her spot with impressive results at the under-23 level this season and views Paris as a stepping stone for future Games.

Key date: Women’s cross country MTB on 28 July.
Maclean-Howell says: “It’s going to be completely crazy. It’s a big step up but I’m super excited as it’s what every child dreams of.”

Anna Morris

Age: 29. From: Cardiff. Events: Women’s team pursuit, Women’s road race

Anna Morris, who was training to be a doctor during the last Olympics, has become a crucial part of the women’s endurance squad. She will compete in both the road race and team pursuit in Paris.

Key dates: Women’s road race on 4 August, Women’s team pursuit on 6 and 7 August.
Morris says: “I’ve watched it growing up on TV and you wonder what it’s like to go to the Games. It wasn’t on my radar a few years ago. But it’s such a special opportunity. It’s a dream come

Jess Roberts

Age: 25. From: Carmarthen. Event: Women’s team pursuit

Jess Roberts, having recovered from a long-standing back injury, will compete in her first Olympics after representing Wales in two Commonwealth Games.

Key dates: Women’s team pursuit on 6 and 7 August.
Roberts says: “We’re a select number of people who get to do this. It’s pretty surreal. I’m really grateful for this opportunity and excited to get on the start line.”

Josh Tarling

Age: 20. From: Aberaeron. Events: Men’s time trial, Men’s road race

At just 20, Josh Tarling has already made his mark as a top time trialist, winning European gold and a World Championship bronze in 2023. He aims to win gold on day one of the Games.

Key dates: Men’s time trial on 27 July, Men’s road race on 3 August.
Tarling says: “I’m honoured to go, but I want to do well. You can’t waste any opportunities because it’s every four years. I want to try to win and I’ll throw everything at it to win.”

Stevie Williams

Age: 28. From: Aberystwyth. Event: Men’s road race

The Israel-Premier Tech rider already has two big wins to his name this year – the Tour Down Under in January and the one-day La Flèche Wallonne in April. And it’s been a big summer for him too. He recently signed a new four-year contract with Israel-Premier Tech and rode his first Tour de France. In August he will make his Olympic debut on the roads of Paris.

Key date: Less than two weeks after completing the Tour de France, Williams will be back on French roads for the men’s road race in Paris at 10:00 BST on Saturday, 3 August.

Gymnastics

Ruby Evans

Age: 17. From: Cardiff. Event: Women’s artistic gymnastics

At just 17 years old, Ruby Evans is the youngest Welsh athlete in Team GB at these Olympics. She is also first female artistic gymnast from Wales to go to a Games since Sonia Lawrence way back in 1996.

She started the sport at her local leisure centre in Cardiff when she was five – and just she kept going back. She’s really established herself on the GB women’s artistic team over the past 12 months, with an appearance at a World Championships and at the European Championships in May, where she helped them win silver. But the Olympics will be another level for her.

Key dates: The women’s qualification begins on Sunday, 28 July, with the team final following on Tuesday, 30 July at 17:15 BST.

Evans says: “Hopefully it’ll be one of the best experiences of my life. I’m really excited to get there, be in the village and meet other people from other sports.”

Hockey

Jacob Draper

Age: 25 (26 on 24 July). From: Cwmbran. Event: Men’s hockey. Position: Defender

Jacob Draper, with 138 combined caps for Wales and GB, is a key player aiming for a medal in Paris.
Draper says: “My friend had to open the [selection] email for me as I was shaking so much. I can’t describe it. You just get goosebumps as the email comes through and you’re overjoyed. It makes all the tough times worth it.”

Gareth Furlong

Age: 32. From: Cambridge (Welsh mum). Event: Men’s hockey. Position: Defender

Gareth Furlong, a legend in Welsh hockey, hopes to contribute to GB’s quest for Olympic gold.
Furlong says: “There are five or six really competitive sides there but we definitely want to be on the podium at the end of the Games. That would be unbelievable.”

Rupert Shipperley

Age: 31. From: Oxford (Welsh dad). Event: Men’s hockey. Position: Midfielder

Rupert Shipperley, part of the Welsh squad that qualified for their first World Cup, is aiming for more history in Paris.
Shipperley says: “We’re really excited for the opportunity. We go into every tournament hoping to get a medal. But it’ll be incredibly difficult. As long as we go out there, play our best and do ourselves proud, we’ll see what happens.”

Sarah Jones

Age: 33. From: Cardiff. Event: Women’s hockey Position: Midfielder

Sarah Jones, aiming for her second Olympic medal, hopes to follow up her Tokyo bronze with another podium finish.
Jones says: “I’m a little bit more experienced and it makes you appreciate it more. You never know if it’s going to be your last one. It’s going to be amazing.”

Rowing

Matt Aldridge

Age: 28. From: Christchurch, Dorset (Welsh grandmother). Event: Men’s Four

For anyone who recalls Sir Steve Redgrave’s historic fifth Olympic gold at Sydney 2000, the Great Britain men’s four holds a legendary status. Matt Aldridge, 28, is a key member of the current squad aiming to make history in Paris. Aldridge, along with teammates Oli Wilkes, David Ambler, and Freddie Davidson, are the reigning world champions, having completed the 2024 season undefeated. The GB men’s four has won nine out of its 11 races since the last Olympics, positioning them as the team to beat in Paris.

Key Dates: The men’s four heats commence at 11:50 BST on Sunday, 28 July, with the final scheduled for 10:06 BST on Thursday, 1 August.

Aldridge comments: “Great Britain knows how to make a four go very quickly. I think we make a bigger sum than our parts. We don’t have the ego – we just get it done. I’m really excited and proud to be representing Britain at the Games.”

Tom Barras

Age: 30. From: Staines (qualified for Wales at university). Event: Men’s Quadruple Sculls

In a Tokyo Games that was otherwise disappointing for British Rowing, the men’s quadruple sculls’ silver medal stood out as a notable achievement. It marked the first time Britain had won a medal in this boat class. Tom Barras was part of that crew and returns to Paris alongside fellow former Wales Home Countries sculling champion Graeme Thomas. Barras cites his drive to challenge for Olympic gold as his reason for staying in the boat for another three years.

Key Dates: The men’s quad heats begin at 11:30 BST on Saturday, 27 July, with hopes for a gold race at 11:02 BST on Wednesday, 31 July.

Barras says: “This is a phenomenally powerful boat I’m in. The guys I’m with are so fit and strong – and such good rowers. I want to push the top boats as hard as I can and if we get it right, we can win.”

Harry Brightmore

Age: 30. From: Chester (Welsh grandparents). Event: Men’s Eight (Cox)

Harry Brightmore began his rowing career representing Wales a decade ago, but now he is the coxswain for Great Britain’s men’s eight, which secured world titles in 2022 and 2023. Inspired by the men’s eight’s gold medal win at Sydney 2000, Brightmore hopes to lead the team back to the top step of the podium after their bronze in Tokyo.

Key Dates: The men’s eight event starts at 10:40 BST on Monday, 29 July, with the potential final taking place at 10:10 BST on Saturday, 3 August.

Brightmore remarks: “It’s like herding cats sometimes! All the guys bring very different experiences, and it’s important for me to draw upon them and bring it to a big collective. When we’re all on the same page, we’re flying.”

Eve Stewart

Age: 26. From: Amsterdam (Welsh mum). Event: Women’s Eight

Eve Stewart was born in the Netherlands to a Welsh mother who represented her country in netball. However, Stewart was drawn to rowing. She initially rowed for the Netherlands, but after attending university in Iowa, she moved to the UK and began rowing for Britain. Her grandmother, Pat Stewart, was one of the ‘Blackpool Belles’ captured in a renowned 1951 photograph.

Key Dates: The women’s eight heats begin at 11:00 BST on Monday, 29 July, with the final scheduled for 09:50 BST on Saturday, 3 August.

Stewart says: “Competing at my first Olympics as part of Team GB is a literal dream come true. We’ve done some great training at our pre-Olympic camp and I can’t wait to show the world what we can do.”

Graeme Thomas

Age: 35. From: Preston (Welsh grandfather). Event: Men’s Quadruple Sculls

Graeme Thomas is aiming for a change of fortune as he prepares for his third Olympics. After being forced to return home from the 2016 Games due to illness and narrowly missing out on a medal in the men’s double sculls at Tokyo, Thomas now competes in the men’s quadruple sculls. He is hopeful that some ‘Tom Barras magic’ will help the boat achieve success, after Barras’ silver performance in Tokyo.

Key Dates: The men’s quad heats start at 11:30 BST on Saturday, 27 July, with hopes for a gold medal race at 11:02 BST on Wednesday, 31 July.

Thomas reflects: “If my career’s been a rollercoaster, then the last three years certainly have been. I had an injury last year which took me out of competing. But I won the national trials in December so I’ve shown I’m back at my best.”

Becky Wilde

Age: 26. From: Taunton (Welsh mum). Event: Women’s Double Sculls

After a decade of swimming for Wales, Becky Wilde has transitioned to rowing. Partnered with Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, the double sculls duo qualified for Paris at the Final Olympic Qualification Regatta in May, overcoming a season affected by injury. Last year, Wilde underwent surgery for compartment syndrome in both arms but appears to be peaking at the right moment.

Key Dates: Wilde and Hodgkins-Byrne start their campaign at 11:00 BST on Saturday, 27 July, with the final scheduled for 09:30 BST on Thursday, 1 August.

Wilde says: “I’ve dreamed of going to the Olympics since I was six years old, so it means everything to me. The field in the women’s double is very open and we know if we make the final in Paris, it’s all to play for.”

Ollie Wynne-Griffith

Age: 30. From: Guildford (Welsh dad). Event: Men’s Pair

Ollie Wynne-Griffith, who once aspired to play rugby for Wales, has become one of Britain’s leading rowers. After winning Olympic bronze in the men’s eight at the last Games, he now competes in the men’s pair with childhood friend Tom George. The duo has been consistently successful, securing podium finishes at major championships since Tokyo, including their first major title at the 2024 European Rowing Championships.

Key Dates: The men’s pair heats commence at 10:00 BST on Sunday, 28 July, with the final scheduled for 09:42 BST on Friday, 2 August.

Wynne-Griffith states: “Going to one Olympic Games is more than I ever could’ve dreamed of growing up. So to be going to my second, if you’d told me 10 years ago, I would’ve laughed. Seeing the Team GB kit gives me goosebumps.”

Swimming

Kieran Bird

Age: 24. From: Bicester (Welsh father). Events: Men’s 400m Freestyle (plus possible relays)

Kieran Bird delivered a remarkable performance at the 2021 Olympic trials to secure his place in Tokyo, though his Olympic debut did not go as planned. This year, however, Bird has shown impressive form, setting personal bests in the 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyles, and appears well-positioned to make a significant impact at his second Games in Paris.

Key Dates: The men’s 400m freestyle takes place on the opening day, Saturday, 27 July, at La Defense Arena.

Bird says: “I’m buzzing. This time I want to go and compete, really give it a go. I feel like I’ve got redemption to achieve. It’s great to be back on track with where I want to be.”

Medi Harris

Age: 21. From: Porthmadog. Events: Women’s 100m Backstroke, Women’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay (plus possible additional relay)

In the three years since Tokyo, Medi Harris has quickly established herself on the GB swimming team. She won bronze for Team Wales at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and became European champion with the GB women’s 4x100m freestyle team later that year. After securing silver and bronze at this year’s World Championships and enduring the loss of her mother, Ellie, Harris secured her spot at the Olympics under challenging circumstances.

Key Dates: Medi’s Olympic debut is expected on Monday, 29 July, in the women’s 100m backstroke, with relays likely to follow later in the first week.

Harris says: “It feels a bit surreal. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. With each competition and each team I make, I’m just learning more and more. I know my mum was proud of me no matter what I did.”

Daniel Jervis

Age: 28. From: Resolven, Neath. Event: Men’s 1500m Freestyle

The Paris Games mark the second Olympics for Daniel Jervis, Britain’s leading 1500m swimmer of the past decade. Although he won medals for Team Wales at the Commonwealth Games, Jervis was denied a chance to compete for gold at Birmingham 2022 due to a Covid-19 infection. Despite struggling with motivation afterward, he has proven his worth and is determined to make the most of this Olympics.

Key Dates: The men’s 1500m freestyle final is scheduled for 17:36 BST on Sunday, 4 August.

Jervis says: “I wasn’t finished after Tokyo. I knew I had this in me. It was a lot harder to get to this Olympics. To get on that podium would be an absolute dream.”

Hector Pardoe

Age: 23. From: Wrexham. Events: Men’s Marathon Swimming

Hector Pardoe, preparing for his second Olympics, has focused on the water quality of the Seine, as he will swim 10 kilometres in it this August. Despite his Olympic experience being cut short in Tokyo by an eye injury, Pardoe, who won bronze at this year’s World Championships and set a new world record for the fastest swim across Lake Windermere, is determined to make a strong showing if conditions allow.

Key Dates: The men’s marathon swimming event is set for 06:30 BST on Friday, 9 August.

Pardoe says: “I was hungry as a 20-year-old going into Tokyo. But after receiving that [eye injury] and having that Olympic dream cut short, it’s really pushed me to new levels of motivation and discipline. I think that’s really going to pay off with my performance this summer.”

Matt Richards

Age: 21. From: Worcester (Welsh father). Events: Men’s 50m Freestyle, Men’s 100m Freestyle, Men’s 200m Freestyle, Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay, Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay (other possible relay events TBC)

Matt Richards has already made his mark in Welsh Olympic history with his gold medal in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay at Tokyo, becoming the youngest Olympic champion from Wales at 18 years and 223 days old. Now 21, Richards, who won the world title in the 200m freestyle last year, will compete in three individual events and potentially three relays, aiming to add to Wales’s Olympic swimming legacy.

Key Dates: With numerous potential races, key highlights include GB’s defence of the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay on Tuesday, 30 July, at 20:59 BST.

Richards says: “I’m in the shape of my life. Coming off the back of becoming world champion individually last year fills me with a lot of confidence. I know I can do it now. But it’s going to be very, very hard. So I will take each race as it comes – and enjoy it.”

Taekwondo

Jade Jones

Age: 31. From: Flint. Events: Women’s -57kg

Before Tokyo, everything Jade Jones touched at an Olympics turned to gold. She became Olympic champion as a teenager at London 2012, before winning gold again at Rio 2016.

Gold in Tokyo would have ensured she became Wales’ greatest female Olympian and the most successful Olympic taekwondo athlete in history, so it was a seismic shock when she lost in the first round of competition to Refugee Team competitor Kimia Alizadeh.

There was another shock just weeks before this Olympic Games, as the UK Anti-Doping Agency ruled Jones was clear to compete in Paris after provisionally suspending her failing to provide a urine sample in December 2023. The 31-year-old successfully argued against the ban after presenting confidential medical records which UKAD concluded showed she bore “no fault or negligence”.

Key date: The women’s -57kg category takes place all in one day, as usual, with Jones hoping to reach the final at 20:39 BST on Thursday, 8 August.

Jones says (before the UKAD announcement): “I’ve properly chucked everything into it this time. I’ve moved to Croatia, got a new coach and training partners, I’m leaving no stone unturned. It’s truly made me appreciate and enjoy the journey.”