Becky James makes her SPOTY bid

It would be nice to think this weekend has ensured a Welsh sports star will be on the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year shortlist in 10 months’ time.

Not anyone to do with Swansea City, who won their first major (English) trophy yesterday, nor a rugby player (though with a Lions tour coming up that’s not totally out of the question).

Becky James, from Abergavenny, picked up four medals – two gold and two bronze, exactly the same record as France – in last week’s 2013 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Belarus as Great Britain continued their dominance on two wheels (if not quite as comprehensively as during the Olympics).

James won two individual rainbow jerseys, in the sprint and keirin, an individual bronze in the 500m time trial and a further bronze alongside Victoria Williamson in the team sprint. GB finished with five golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

It’s great to see a young Welsh star (she is only 21) emerge as such a force on the world stage – and if you had any doubts as to the magnitude of her achievement, you only need to see the reaction of her track rivals, including Anna Meares, Victoria Pendleton’s long-time adversary (ignore the fact she’s forgotten some past champions):

JAMES! BECKY JAMES!!!!A handful in Delhi, now she isWORLD CHAMPION at 21. Congrats @becksjames Has Wales had a cycling World champ b4?

— Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares) February 24, 2013

DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION!!!! Words can’t even describe how happy I am! 🙂 Thank you for all the support everyone! #whataweek x

— Becky James (@BecksJames) February 24, 2013

 

Wow! @becksjames double world champ! Incredible performance in Keirin. Becky, Wales salutes you #worldchampion #girlpower

— Laura McAllister (@LauraMcAllister) February 24, 2013

So happy for @becksjames ! What a girl!!DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION!! #soproud #onfire #sorryaboutthat 😘😜 xx

— George North (@George_North) February 24, 2013