The UK School Games will be taking place in Wales between September 3rd and 6th with events hosted by Cardiff (European City of Sport 2009), Newport and Swansea. This multi-sport event for the UK's elite young athletes, including disabled athletes funded by the National Lottery and the Welsh Assembly Government has received virtually no national media coverage, despite the amount of time and space being devoted to the problems associated with London 2012.

Although it would be wrong to place pressure at this point on potential medal hopefuls,the lack of interest in this event is astonishing. Dare I mention once again the dominance of football in the press and on television, the lack of "celebrity appeal" or is it something to do with the fact that the event is not taking place in the south east of England. Which ever of these explanations is the more valid, for those involved the experience will prepare the participants for major athletics events as the Games environment will incorporate opening and closing ceremonies as well as an athletes village.