Olympic gold medallist Tom James visited Glyndŵr University to launch a new initiative to celebrate Wales’s greatest Olympians.
The 24-year-old, part of the coxless fours which rowed to victory for Britain in this year’s Beijing Olympics, kick-started Following the Flame in the University’s sports centre.
The all-Wales initiative is a new exhibition which tells the history of Welsh involvement with the Olympic games and celebrates the achievements of often-forgotten Welsh Olympians.
Children and young people from in and around Wrexham got an up-close look at Tom’s gold medal and were given a chance to ask questions about his achievement.
Tom said: “I’m proud to be Welsh, proud to be British and this is a brilliant project - exactly the sort of thing which we need in the run up to London 2012.
“The way London won the Olympics was through Seb Coe and the bid team’s presentation, which promised that the games would bring a lasting legacy and inspired young people – something which other games haven’t done.
“It’s tremendous to have something which will bring sport and education together.
“When I was out in Beijing I didn’t really think about the impact back home but it’s been really positive.
“We’ve now got wholesome projects which everyone in Britain is aiming to be involved with in the run up to 2012.
“Winning an Olympic gold medal was such a unique experience. I don’t think the achievement’s quite sunk in yet, but it’s definitely a very special feeling.”
As well as athletes, the Following the Flame exhibition explores, through words and images, those who have attended the games in other capacities, such as officials, coaches, administrators, volunteers and spectators.
It is being led by Wrexham County Borough Council’s Heritage Service.
Cllr Bob Dutton OBE, lead member for Communities and Performance, said: “The Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Beijing earlier this year really captured the hearts and imagination of all those living in Wales and the whole of the UK.
“For Wrexham to take the lead on an all-Wales basis in celebrating not only our successes at the Beijing Games, but the achievements and successes of the people of Wales over the years, is to be congratulated.”
