The moment has finally arrived for BBC presenter Gethin Jones as the Commonwealth Games gets under way in Glasgow on Thursday.
The Morning Live host was appointed Team Wales' chef de mission for this summer's Games last year, having previously served as team attaché at the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast.
In the ambassadorial role, Jones has been handed responsibility for leading and motivating athletes and support staff as part of the "team behind the team", while he will also act as a team spokesperson and represent Wales at official functions.
In order to land the role, the former Blue Peter presenter went back to university to complete a Master’s degree in Sports Directorship, as he balanced his studies with his presenting career.
Months of Preparation Lead to Glasgow
Months of preparation has led to this week, with 3,000 athletes from 74 countries and territories descending on Glasgow and competing for 215 gold medals across 16 different sports over 10 days of competition.
A total of 114 athletes will compete for Team Wales across 10 different sports, namely 3x3 wheelchair basketball, artistic gymnastics, athletics and para athletics, bowls and para bowls, boxing, judo, netball, swimming and para swimming, track cycling and para track cycling and weightlifting.
Three-time Olympic medal-winning cyclist Emma Finucane, swimmer Matt Richards and teenage gymnast Ruby Evans are amongst the main medal hopes for Wales, who are led by team captain Olivia Breen.
Jones Focuses on Athlete Support Over Medals
Ahead of Thursday's opening ceremony, Jones said he was not overly concerning himself with medals, but admitted it would be "incredible" to see a member of Team Wales on the podium.
"We don't talk about medals but I'd be stood here lying to you if I said it wouldn't be incredible," he told BBC Sport. "I've got some flags in my bags, just in case that happens, so I can whip them out."
"What I can say is every single one of the athletes are here to represent Wales with pride and passion. I know they'll leave absolutely everything out there."
The BBC star said he was focused on giving Wales' athletes a chance to show what they can do, adding: "A lot of people talk about success. Within the teams, they have their own conversations.
"As Team Wales, it's about giving them the opportunity to succeed and success is being able to deliver your best performance on the day when it matters, under pressure, with the whole world watching."
"If they do that, I don't think you can ask for much more. If you get a personal best, that is success for me, it is about making sure they're given the environment to be able to do that."
"We'll be proud of them whatever," Jones added. "Because we know the sacrifices, work and dedication they've put in. So I know they're raring to go."
On the moment he has worked so hard for finally arriving, the 48-year-old continued: "After all the preparation over the past 18 months and more, it's fantastic for the team to be here."
"We've hit the ground running. It feels like we've been here for a month trying to get everything ready. There's much work to do to make sure all the logistics, preparation and rooms are ready for when the athletes arrive."
