Plaid Cymru call for Olympic sized swimming pool for the north

Plaid Cymru has called for an Olympic sized pool to be built in the north of Wales.

The party’s Plaid Cymru Spokesperson on Sport, Heledd Fychan MS pointed out that many of the nearest Olympic sized pools are over the border.

She argued that building one in the north would create more opportunities for swimmers in the area, who are currently being disadvantaged.

The opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics games will take place today, and the competition includes a record of six Welsh swimmers, However, Fychan believes there could me even more if there was an Olympic sized swimming pool in the north.

Heledd Fychan MS said: “During the next few weeks, we will be watching many a Welsh athlete in a range of sports competing in the Olympic games, including a record breaking six Welsh swimmers.

“It’s undeniable that watching athletes that represent us on the world’s sporting stage draws so many of us in, not just the usual sporting crowd, and brings us together in our pride for Wales. It’s something we’ve already experienced so much of during this year’s European Championship campaign.

“But this success begs the question – how many talented swimmers from the north of Wales could have been taking part in these games if there was an Olympic sized pool in the north for them to train in? Could we be looking at seven, eight, nine or more Welsh swimmers making the team?

“As it stands swimmers in the north would have to travel to Manchester, Liverpool, Swansea or Cardiff to train, something which is bound to make it difficult or even impossible for a young athlete to pursue a sport they excel at.

“Establishing a Olympic sized pool in the north of Wales would avoid such a scenario – swimmers in the north deserve access to training facilities, and deserve the opportunity to fulfil their sporting potentials.”