TWO athletes who began their careers with Oswestry sports clubs will represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

The games begin in the Midlands city on July 28 and will see some of the best athletes in the world descend on Britain to compete across a host of disciplines.

Among those lining up in the famous red of Wales will be Adele Nicoll and Dan Jones.

Both were brought up and educated in Welshpool but they sought coaching across the border when they began their journeys into high level sport.

Nicoll honed her skills as a shot putter and discus thrower while a member of the Oswestry Olympians while Jones first developed his skills as an international grade swimmer under the guidance of Oswestry Otters Swimming Club.

Nicoll has since gone on to become multiple Welsh champion and earlier this year she was crowned British champion and will go into the Commonwealth Games confident of challenging for a medal.

2022 has been a stellar year for the 25 year old who also represented Great Britain in the Winter Olympics after being unearthed as a potential bobsled star,

Meanwhile Jones will also represent his country in the 50m and 100m freestyle.

Nicoll said: “I’m in a great place heading towards Commonwealth Games and I am going there with an open mind, knowing that on the day anything is possible and it’s about who will show up and perform. I’m not ruling out a medal.”

Whatever happens in Birmingham the British shot put champion will be forever grateful to the Olympians for putting her on the road to achieving her dreams.

She said: “The Oswestry Olympians were so important in my early athletics and a massive part of my career.”

Nicoll will hope for local support in Birmingham as a current member of the city’s Birchfield Harriers Athletics Club.