The period from 2010 to 2019 is – literally – the golden era for Welsh Olympic athletes.
There were more Welsh gold medallists in this decade than any other in the history of the modern games, with a total of seven won in London and Rio.
For context, there were no Welsh gold medallists at the Games between Richard Meade in 1972 and Nicole Cooke in 2008 – 36 barren years.
So a roll call of Geraint Thomas (track cycling 2012), Tom James (rowing coxless four 2012), Jade Jones (taekwondo, 2012 and 2016), Elinor Barker (track cycling, 2016), Owain Doull (track cycling, 2016) and Hannah Mills (sailing, 2016) marks an extraordinary turnaround in fortunes.
In total there were 18 medal-winning displays – either as part of teams or individually – by Welsh competitors at the 2012 and 2016 Games.
The other medallists were: Fred Evans (silver, boxing 2012), Chris Bartley (silver, rowing 2012), (silver, sailing 2012), Becky James (two silvers, track cycling 2016), Jazz Carlin (two silvers, swimming 2012), Victoria Thornley (rowing, 2016), Sam Cross and James Davies (rugby sevens, 2016).
