Carlin Carries The Flag

Double Olympic swimming medallist Jazz Carlin is the 2018 Commonwealth Games Team Wales flag bearer.

Carlin will lead a 200+ strong Team Wales at the Gold Coast 2018 Opening Ceremony in Carrara Stadium.

These will be her fourth Commonwealth Games. In Delhi 2010, she won silver in the 200m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Four years later in Glasgow, she became Wales’ first woman to win a gold in the pool since Pat Beavan in 1974.

In 2016 she became a double Olympic medallist, winning two silvers in the 400m and 800m freestyle events in Rio.

Carlin said: “I’m honoured and so excited to have the opportunity to lead the 2018 Team Wales for the opening ceremony.

“I always feel as though it’s an honour to compete for Wales so this has definitely kick-started my experience here in Gold Coast.

“Training has been going really well. This will be my fourth Commonwealth Games so I’m starting to feel like one of the older ones now!

“I think the older you get, the more you appreciate the experience of being at the games. I have fond memories of Glasgow, which was an incredible event. Obviously like any competition, I’m aiming for a podium.

“We did a tough block of training and the last few weeks have been about going easy in the lead up to competition- I’m really excited and can’t wait for it to start.””

Nicola Phillips, Team Wales Chef de Mission said: “Being a flag bearer for Team Wales is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I’m delighted that Jazz will get that experience here in the Gold Coast.

“Our aim as a team is to inspire and Jazz certainly does that! Her determination and hard work is what I’m most proud of- she’s faced challenges and overcome them to perform outstandingly and inspire a nation.

“Not only that, but this is an opportunity to celebrate her fantastic achievements and career so far. I hope that when people back home see Jazz and the full team at the opening ceremony, they feel inspired, proud and excited to support us throughout the games.”

Carlin will be competing in the women’s 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m relay.