In assembly today we have been looking back at the Commonwealth Games and the fantastic achievements of all the athletes. We have looked at the inspiration for the Games:

'Inspired by the diversity and dynamism of the Commonwealth itself - a voluntary association of 71 nations and territories - and its enduring commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Among its membership are some of the world’s largest and smallest countries, from India, with over 1.2 billion people to Nauru with a population of 10,000. More than 60% of the Commonwealth citizens are under 30.'

https://thecgf.com/

We have seen the amazing story of Anna Hursey, the welsh Commonwealth Games table tennis player, who last week competed at the Games aged just 11. We have heard about her commitment to 'move it to the next level' to achieve her ambition of becoming a Champion one day.

I want to be a table tennis champion

Representing Wales in the 2018 Commonwealth Games

Also, we discovered the amazing integration of paralympic athletes at the games:

Valued and included: Para integration a big Commonwealth Games hit

This is the Commonwealth Games, where Paralympic athletes are not just included but fully integrated in the teams, and their events in the programme.

Usain Bolt last week described it as "brilliant" and James Arnott, the 21 year old English athlete who was born with a condition called Erb's palsy which restricts the movement of his left shoulder and impacts on his ability to sprint, would not disagree with the Jamaican great.

Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive David Grevemberg believes:

"Truly if we want a Games that is representative of all the people across the Commonwealth, then our athletes need to be truly representative. If you value people, you include them, it's that simple.”

Taken from Sydney Morning Herald.

It's fantastic that people of different cultures, faiths, languages and abilities can come together to compete and represent their countries and celebrate each other's achievements.