Written question WQ87932

Wales has an enviable reputation for hosting elite sporting events at both national and international level. Many of these events are held on the existing estate of elite sporting facilities, such as the Principality Stadium, the Geraint Thomas National Velodrome in Newport, the Wales National Pool in Swansea and Surf Snowdonia in Dolgarrog.

Since 2016 we have provided capital funding to Sport Wales to add to this suite of facilities. the National BMX Cycling facility in Llanrumney has recently been built with an 8m ramp to enable international competitions and we have also provided support through Sport Wales for the international and professional netball facility in partnership with Cardiff City House of Sport.

The Welsh Government has also provided capital funding through Sport Wales to upgrade existing facilities and bring them up to competition standard. Examples include the athletics track at Treborth near Bangor and the hockey facilities at Sophia Gardens and at Swansea University.

Some elite national and international events hosted in Wales do not require a specific venue to go ahead. Instead, these events use existing infrastructure and our outstanding natural environment and landscapes to provide a world-class challenge to athletes from across many different sports. Examples include various editions of the Tour of Britain (including the 2023 race) and the 2022 World Coastal Rowing Championships held off the Pembrokeshire Coast.