Around 1,000 children from schools in Cardiff welcomed a host of top athletes to the Millennium Stadium to promote the 2012 London Olympic Games. The visit was part of a UK-wide tour designed to get people involved in preparations for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.
Pupils from every primary school in Cardiff took part, trying out sports from tennis to basketball.
The 1964 Olympic long jump champion, Welshman Lynn Davies, hosted the event.
He was joined by other Welsh athletes, including runners Iwan Thomas, and Tim Benjamin.
Before visiting Cardiff the roadshow called at two venues in Newport, and later moved on to Swansea and Carmarthen.
'Home crowd'
The Millennium Stadium will be playing its part in the 2012 Games by hosting at least eight football matches.
Mr Davies, who won the Olympic long jump in Tokyo in 1964, said competing had been an "incredible experience".
But he said he wished he had experienced competing in front of a "home crowd".
 Youngsters were given the chance to try out a variety of sports |
Mr Davies also said the London Olympics would be valuable for business, tourism, leisure and jobs.
"The true value is we've got thousands of kids now, inspired." he added.
Although most of the Olympic action will take place in London, Mr Davies said top athletes would be seen preparing in Wales.
"We should feel part of those games, we've got fantastic facilities in Wales," he said.
"Hopefully by then, Cardiff will have a sports village which will then be able to hold the very best in the world," he added.
Greater things
Nigel Howells, Cardiff Council's executive member for sport, culture and leisure , said the day had been "inspirational".
"The sight of 1000 children taking part in sports activities in what will in just six years time be an actual Games venue has not only touched the hearts of the visiting team, but also helped inspire those children to strive for greater things in 2012."
Welsh Sports Minister Alun Pugh said he hoped the roadshow would inspire a "new generation" of Olympic hopefuls.
"This roadshow will let people across Wales know about preparations for 2012, what the Games can mean for them and how they can get involved," he said.
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This roadshow will let people across Wales know about preparations for 2012
