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Plaid Cymru call for Olympic sized swimming pool for the north

23 Jul 2021 2 minute read
Swimmer. By Gentrit Sylejmani on Unsplash

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.”


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Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago

Why are we constantly called the ‘North of Wales’……We are North Wales, with a capital “N”

Dewi Davies
Dewi Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Strange to see Raheem Sterling wasnt picked for the diving team.

Huw Davies
Huw Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Llewelyn

Where exactly does North start/end? Genuine question as, being born in Aberystwyth, I’ve been called a Gog a Hwntw and a Mid Walian. I’ve never found anything on a map to say this is North Wales/South Wales etc.. I sort of regard Machynlleth and nearby Corris to be in north Wales but Welshpool is north of Mach, like Corris, and doesn’t feel like it’s in north Wales to me. Bala is definitely in North Wales and has a few big bodies of water nearby. Perhaps one of them could be bought by some sort of compulsory order and used to… Read more »

Dewi Davies
Dewi Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  Huw Davies

I’ve always looked at from Brecon down is South Wales.From Brecon to Machynlleth is mid Wales and from Machynlleth up is north Wales.This of course is open to debate.Just as I’ve always looked at it.

Llewelyn
Llewelyn
2 years ago
Reply to  Huw Davies

I’m with you on this one. I think unofficially anything North of the Dyfi is North Wales. Welshpool is in North Wales but has the added complication of being in Powys.

I would suggest a line drawn from the Dyfi to Just south of Welshpool.

As the country of North Wales we could have our capital in St Asaph or Caernarfon.

Gogs am byth. Annibyniol I Goggledd Cymru!

Last edited 2 years ago by Llewelyn
George
George
2 years ago

Excellent idea.

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

Agreed and if we’re paying for it, put it in the middle of the North as well, not next the English border. Wouldn’t want to stop English swimmers using it etc, but it sends a signal if the people of Ynys Mon and Carenafon didn’t have to travel the length of Cymru to get there

Cymro Cymraeg
Cymro Cymraeg
2 years ago

I though that the Connah’s Quay pool was an Olympic size?

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