5. 5. Statement: The Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games Homecoming 2016

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:37 pm on 27 September 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Julie Morgan Julie Morgan Labour 4:37, 27 September 2016

Thank you very much, Deputy Presiding Officer. I would also like to congratulate all our Welsh athletes and I’m looking forward to the event on Thursday when we welcome them to the Senedd. They did perform absolutely outstandingly in Rio. Would the Cabinet Secretary agree that it’s vital that there are good sporting facilities available for young people to train? I’m sure he’s aware of the history of Llanishen reservoir in Cardiff North. Hannah Mills, who is from the Vale of Glamorgan, won gold in Rio with Saskia Clark in the women’s 470 sailing, and that’s where she learnt to sail—in Llanishen reservoir. A number of other sailors from the Llanishen sailing club have also gone on to professional sailing careers, including my constituent, Sean Evans, who was also at Rio as an Olympic sailing coach.

Would the Cabinet Secretary recognise the great achievements of the Llanishen sailing club, which offered sailing to all the local schools? Sadly, the Llanishen reservoir is now drained and not in operation. But, under the new ownership of Dŵr Cymru, we hope it’ll be restored to its former glory. So, would the Cabinet Secretary do what he can to encourage Dŵr Cymru to repeat the former glories of Llanishen reservoir when it was filled?

Can I mention to the Cabinet Secretary the extraordinary achievements of the Maindy Flyers, based in my colleague Jenny Rathbone’s constituency? My constituents, Owain Doull and Elinor Barker, both had gold medals in Rio and, of course, Geraint Thomas as well in two previous Olympics. So, there’s an outstanding achievement, basically, from the Maindy Flyers. These athletes had the encouragement from their schools, local comprehensive schools, but they also had the opportunities to train. That is what we want to extend to everybody. So, I don’t know if he’s got any other comments he can make on that wider extension of facilities and encouragement.