By Paul Osborne

Welsh medal winners set to receive commemorative medals in honour of their performances at last months Commonwealth Games ©Getty ImagesWelsh medal winners from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are set to receive commemorative medals in honour of their performances.

Wales recorded their best ever Commonwealth Games medal haul in Scotland with a total of 36 medals, including five gold.

This achievement came despite the withdrawal of a number of big names prior to the event, with the likes of world champion triathletes Non Standford and Helen Jenkins, and cyclist Becky James, all missing from the squad.

Two Welsh runners, Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton, also reduced Wales' medal hopes after failing doping tests during, and prior to, the Commonwealth Games, while boxer Fred Evans, a convicted criminal, was refused accreditation for the Games following a background check.

The medals have been specially manufactured by the Royal Mint and will be presented by First Minister Carwyn Jones, Presiding Officer Dame Rosemary Butler and Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coin, bullion and medals for the Royal Mint, at a public reception due to take place at the Senedd on Wednesday (September 10).

The medal features a dragon and the words "Team Wales/Tim Cymru" on one side, and "Glasgow 2014" surrounding the Team Wales Commonwealth Games logo on the reverse.

It was developed using modern computer-aided techniques and then transferred to a three dimensional model where it was enhanced, before bespoke traditional tools were created to strike the special commemorative pieces.

Many prominent members of the Welsh squad will be at the event to receive their commemorative medal, including gymnast Frankie Jones, who scooped six medals and the David Dixon award, Natalie Powell, winner of the 78 kilogram judo gold and Elena Allen, a silver medallist in the women's skeet shooting.

Team Wales medals winners will receive commemorative medals to honour their efforts at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©Team WalesTeam Wales medals winners will receive commemorative medals to honour their efforts at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ©Team Wales



In the build-up to the event, the First Minister has urged the public to come and join the medal presentation to give Team Wales the hero's welcome they deserve at the special homecoming event on Wednesday.

"Team Wales has done Wales extremely proud," said Jones.

"Their determination and drive has truly paid off, with the team smashing their ambitious medal target despite some early setbacks.

"The Commonwealth Games are a special opportunity for Welsh athletes to compete against the world's best under the Welsh flag, and I know that the competitors who represented their country at these wonderful Games consider it a huge honour.

"Team Wales' performance in Glasgow will no doubt have a lasting legacy, inspiring the next generation of Welsh sporting greats.

"The event will be an opportunity for us all to celebrate their record success and show Team Wales how proud we are of them!"

Ahead of the competitors' parade, there will be entertainment from a range of young Welsh talent, including Bone Appétit, a trombone quartet from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, five piece girl band Baby Queens, and 17-year-old soloist Kizzy Crawford.

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