WITH just one week to go until the official opening of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the man at the helm of Team Wales is preparing to welcome Wales’ largest ever team to the Athlete’s Village.

Chef de Mission for Team Wales, Brian Davies is set to welcome 232 athletes to the Dragon’s Lair over the coming days, all preparing to pull on the Welsh colours and compete across all 17 sports included within the competition schedule.

Speaking from Wales’ base in Glasgow, Davies said: “Members of the HQ team have been in the Village for a week now and we’re making the final touches to our preparations.

“We’ve endeavoured to create an environment for the athletes that will breed success and motivation and we’re almost ready to welcome the first team on Thursday.

“Our shooting team are already settling into their satellite village in Dundee and lawn bowls will be the first athletes to arrive here in Glasgow.”

And Davies is keen to stress that it’s not just the athletes that will be working hard to bring success back to Wales over the 11 days of competition.

“Our athletes have a world class support team around them. From sport science and medicine experts to an experienced HQ team, coaches and athlete officials, we have surrounded them with 109 people, all part of one team that will work together to provide the best and most professional environment for them to succeed.”

With a team 45 members stronger than in Delhi four years ago, Davies says it’s testament to the healthy position that sport in Wales is currently in.

“We’re sending our biggest team but rest assured we haven’t compromised on standards,” he said.

“The qualification and selection process has been stricter than ever before and so those arriving in the village in just a few days’ time are absolutely the best in Wales and should feel immensely proud of earning their chance to represent Wales at these Games.”

Team captain and Paralympic champion Aled Davies MBE, along with the yet to be announced flagbearer, will lead the Team Wales contingent into Celtic Park for the opening ceremony on Wednesday July 23.