WELSH athletics legend Christian Malcolm will help select the very best of elite and grassroots sport for 2014 as part of the Wales Sport Awards judging panel.

The double World Championships and Commonwealth Games medal winner from Newport will help pick out the people who make sport tick and choose the finalists and winners to go forward to December’s prestigious ceremony in Cardiff.

He will be joined by Sport Wales chair Professor Laura McAllister, head of sport for BBC Wales Geoff Williams and sports journalist Carolyn Hitt.

Bev Smith, a director at Sports Coach UK, Jon Morgan, executive director of Disability Sport Wales (DSW) and young ambassador Luke Rees complete the panel.

BBC Wales and Sport Wales launched the Wales Sport Awards in 2013 as a new event to showcase the very best of elite and grassroots sport in Wales.

The two organisations have joined forces for the new event to be held on Monday, December 8, at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.

Retired sprint star Malcolm said: “I know how important people behind the scenes are to get athletes to the top.

"My school teacher was the first person to take me down to my local track.

"She knew I was quick and she invited some of my friends along as well to encourage us to go. It gave me a taste for sport and athletics and what I could achieve.

“If I didn’t have the support along the way then I wouldn’t have achieved anything like what I have in sport.

“That’s why I’m backing the Wales Sport Awards and all those people who inspire others to take part in sport.”

Rees is a Year 13 pupil at Blaenau Gwent Learning Zone, Coleg Gwent. He is a Platinum Young Ambassador for Blaenau Gwent and is also part of the Welsh YA Steering Group committee.

Luke volunteered at the 2013 UK School Games where he spoke at the closing ceremony in front of 5,000 people. He also carried the Queens Baton through his hometown in May.

The awards include a range of categories for the public to nominate their favourite community and elite sporting heroes. The BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year and Coach of the Year are among the prestigious prizes that will form part of the Wales Sport Awards.

More details on the categories, how to nominate and vote are available at www.walessportawards.co.uk