calls to name a suite in the Rhondda Sports Centre after a local Olympic hero

There are calls to name a suite in the Rhondda Sports Centre after a local Olympic hero.

Plaid Cymru has made a formal request to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council to dedicate a suite at the sports centre in honour of Olympic gold medallist Calum Jarvis.

Calum, who is from Ystrad where the sport centre is located, won a gold medal in Tokyo this week in the 4×200 metre freestyle relay competition.

Along with team mate Matt Richards, they are the first Welsh Olympic gold medal-winning swimmers for 109 years.

Plaid Cymru group leader on RCT Council Councillor Pauline Jarman said “Calum has achieved what many athletes dream of. It is only right that his momentous achievement is celebrated locally.

“A permanent reminder of his feat in his home town would be a fitting tribute.”

He was also part of the squad that won gold at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, as well as the 2018 European Championships.

Calum missed out on London 2012 and Rio 2016 but has been to two Commonwealth Games for Wales – winning 200m Bronze at Glasgow 2014.

A Rhondda Cynon Taf Council spokesman said: “The communities of Rhondda Cynon Taf are extremely proud of the achievements of our local Olympic and Paralympic athletes, both past and present, and as a council we are actively considering how best to celebrate and recognise all those who have taken part in the Olympic and Paralympic games.

 “On behalf of all residents, we send our most sincere congratulations to Calum on his historic gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympic Games, and we look forward to welcoming the Olympic champion back home soon.”

Councillor Jill Bonetto, mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf, said: “Congratulations to Calum from all of us back home in Rhondda Cynon Taf – you have done us all so proud and I look forward to passing on our good wishes to you personally upon your return from the Olympic Games.

“This is the culmination of many years hard work, commitment and dedication in the pool and we share the great pride of yourself, your family and your friends at this time.”

Story credit:- Anthony Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter