STANWELL pupil Ieuan Lloyd has been named in Wales’ 'strongest ever' Commonwealth Games swim squad.
The 17-year-old Penarthian is the youngest member of the 16-strong swimming team selected for the trip to the games in Delhi (October 3-14).
After his dad taught him to swim at just three years old, Ieuan joined Cardiff Swimming Club at the age of six, and now trains at Cardiff International Pool with coach Dave Haller.
He started breaking records aged 15, when he smashed the British Age Group 200m record. He went on to win silver at the UK School Games in 2008 and last year took gold in the 200m at the European Youth Olympic Festival.
The avid Cardiff City fan will compete in the 200m Individual Medley.
He joins a team that includes former St Cyres pupil, David Davies.
Barry-born Davies, 25, is one of Wales' most successful swimmers, storming to gold in the 1500m freestyle and bronze in the 400m freestyle four years ago in Melbourne, when Team Wales took three medals from the pool.
He also famously took the Olympic bronze medal in 2004 for the 1500m Freestyle in Athens; and won silver in the open water event at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Performance Manager Martyn Woodroffe is confident that the team will deliver in Delhi.
“This is Wales’ strongest ever swim team to be fielded at a Commonwealth Games," he said.
"As we are able to call on Olympic and Paralympic medallists, we are in a strong position. As well as experienced swimmers, we also have names to note for the future.
"The team is certainly the most professional group of swimmers and staff I have worked with - all of whom are setting extremely high standards and targets.”
Team Wales Chef de Mission, Chris Jenkins, said: “We are very excited to welcome on board our swimmers – we have a great mix of youth and experience and we are confident that this is a high calibre team."
The other swimmers who have booked their flights to Delhi for the Games, which take place from October 3 to 14, are: Jazmin Carlin; Georgia Davies; Thomas Haffield; Georgia Holderness; Robert Holderness; Sara Lougher; Marco Loughran; Jemma Lowe; Sian Morgan; Jennifer Oldham; David Roberts; Danielle Stirrat; Alys Thomas; Lowri Tynan.
The coaches are Martyn Woodroffe, David Haller, Bud McAllister, Stuart McNarry, and Jenny Shaw is team manager.
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