 |  I want the public to remember me how I was in 1998 |
Iwan Thomas has vowed to make the most of his surprise selection in Wales' 18-strong athletics squad for next year's Commonwealth Games. Thomas, 31, failed to run the necessary 400m qualifying time last season after injuries limited him to just two races.
But the Wales selectors have included the 1998 Commonwealth champion as part of the 4x400m relay team.
"It's great to be in a situation where the pressure is off and I've got five months to get myself fit," said Thomas.
"It's been hard over the last two years with injuries and I've always had to chase times when I was unfit."
Although Thomas has not been selected to run in the individual 400m, he could prove to be an important cog in the 4x400m relay at the Games in Melbourne next March.
He will be joined by Matt Elias, Tim Benjamin, Rhys Williams and Gareth Warbuton in a strong-looking relay squad.
Benjamin and Warbuton will also complete in the individual race, with Williams and Elias going in the 400m hurdles.
Thomas has recently returned to his old coach Mike Smith and is confident he can recapture the form that brought him Commonwealth and European gold medals back in 1998.
"I'm coming towards the end of my career and I want to finish it on a high note," Thomas, who has recently featured on celebrity wrestling and football programmes, told BBC Wales Sport.
"It's all about running well and finishing where I want to be. The last few years have been so frustrating having been injured and running slow times.
"I want the public to remember me how I was in '98 and if I can get back to those kind of times I'll be able to challenge."
Wales 2006 Commonwealth Games athletics team:
Men:
100m: Christian Malcolm.
200m: Christian Malcolm.
400m: Tim Benjamin, Gareth Warbuton.
400m hurdles: Matt Elias, Rhys Williams.
4x400m relay: Tim Benjamin, Iwan Thomas, Gareth Warbuton, Matt Elias, Rhys Williams.
1500m: James Thie.
Long jump: Stephen Shalders.
Triple jump: Stephen Shalders.
High jump: Robert Mitchell.
Pole Vault: Scott Simpson.
Women:
400m: Catherine Murphy.
800m: Hayley Tullett.
1500m: Hayley Tullett.
Long distance: Catherine Dugdale.
High jump: Julie Crane.
Hammer: Carys Parry, Leslie Brannen, Laura Douglas.
Discus: Phillips Roles.
*Marathon runner Tracey Morris has been given until December to prove her fitness.
MMIX
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