Wrexham’s very own Olympic hero is on a new mission in the run-up to London 2012.
The rowing colossus is throwing his considerable weight behind the campaign to bring the Olympic torch to his home town.
Tom, who was a member of the victorious men’s four that won gold at the 2008 Beijing Games, has regained fitness after an operation last year.
He’s been in Britain’s coxless four team since May and they’ve just won Henley Royal Regatta against some tough opposition. Next up is the world championships in Slovenia.
But the talented Olympian is extremely disappointed that the torch relay route is due to by-pass Wrexham when it is carried through Wales – it’s only scheduled to go through Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor.
He’s backing the campaign launched by local AM Lesley Griffiths who has written to Olympic supremo Lord Sebastian Coe saying it would be a “great shame” if the town were not included in next May’s route.
Her call has also drawn strong support from Kevin Critchley, the manager of the Eagles Meadow shopping centre who is urging other businesses in the town to add their voices to the growing clamour.
Tom said: “I am very proud that I come from the Wrexham area and very proud to be an Olympic gold medallist.
“I am therefore absolutely delighted to be able to support the campaign to bring the Olympic torch to Wrexham as it makes its way to the London 2012 Games.
“We have a proud Olympic tradition in Wrexham – let’s not forget that I am not the first person from this area to win Olympic gold.
“That honour goes to Ken Matthews won gold in 1964 in the 20K race walk in Tokyo.
“Wrexham is the capital of North Wales and we are putting in a bid for city status so it would be a crying shame if we missed this glorious opportunity to benefit from some Olympic stardust.
“I know that there is a huge groundswell of support for this campaign started by local AM Lesley Griffiths and supported by Kevin Critchley, the manager of the Eagles Meadow shopping centre.
“We are confident in the merit of our case and I am urging the Olympic organisers to see the sense of bringing the Olympic torch to our great town.
“In practical terms, it will be very easy to do because it will be travelling between overnight stopovers in Bangor and Chester.”
Kevin Critchley is thrilled that Tom has joined the campaign.
He said: “Tom is a genuine local hero who is rightly admired for is prowess as a world class rower.
“Local people have always been unswerving and vociferous in their support for Tom and were glowing with pride when he won the ultimate rowing prize in Beijing and we’ll be behind him all the way to London 2012.
“We are really grateful to him for taking time out of his busy training schedule to back this important campaign to bring the Olympic torch to Wrexham.
“This is North Wales’s biggest town and it is only right that Wrexham people have the opportunity to share in the Olympic excitement.”
Lesley Griffiths added: “The campaign is attracting a huge amount of support from the people of Wrexham and it’s fantastic news that our very own Olympic hero, Tom James, is wholeheartedly behind us.
“I believe the case to bring the Olympic torch is a compelling one and I hope the powers that be respond accordingly.”
