Sprinter Hannah Brier has called for change after being left “devastated” to miss out on representing Team Wales at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 28-year-old cemented her status as the fastest Welsh woman of all time on 25 May, breaking Wales’ long-standing 200m record with a time of 22.79 seconds at the Stratford Speed Grand Prix in London.
However, she was blocked from competing at the Games in Glasgow this summer as her time was recorded eight days after the Team Wales deadline for selection.
Writing on social media, external, Brier stated her life has been a “blur” in addition to admitting she had concluded that “nothing can be done” after she explored “every possible avenue” in an attempt to reverse the decision.
“Representing Wales for the last 14 years of my life, since the age of 14, has become part of who I am,” she said.
“Anyone who knows me knows how deeply passionate I am about my country.”
Brier added: “Things need to change, and I hope that my story will spark meaningful conversations and positive change within our policies – so that future athletes never find themselves in the same position.
“I’m not alone in this. Several other highly talented Welsh athletes worked tirelessly to achieve the qualifying standards, yet despite their efforts and achievements, were ultimately not selected for the Games.”