Glasgow 2014: Team Wales can reach medals target - Lynn Davies

Geraint Thomas won bronze in the points race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games

Team Wales can reach their ambitious goal of winning 27 medals at Glasgow's Commonwealth Games, according to UK Athletics president Lynn Davies.

The target is eight more than Team Wales won at the 2010 Games in Delhi.

But former Olympic long jump champion Davies said that with the talent in the squad the figure is achievable.

"I know we've got some world beaters and if they can win some medals early on in those Games, it will inspire the rest of the team," Davies said.

"It's a big, big target... they deserve to come home with 27 medals and I hope they do."

Team Wales were set the target for Glasgow 2014 by governing body Sport Wales, in consultation with the coaches from each sport.

Davies, speaking to told BBC Radio Wales Sport, added: "We got 19 medals in Delhi and for a small nation with three million people, 27 medals is aspirational.

"We've always come out on top per head of population.

Lynn Davies won Commonwealth long jump gold in 1966 and 1970

"If you divide the medals into three million when you're up against the likes of India, Canada and Australia with huge populations, we really do punch above our weight."

The figure of 27 medals is eight less than Sport Wales originally outlined in 2010 for the Glasgow Games.

Two of Wales' leading medal hopes, triathlete Non Stanford and cyclist Becky James, have been ruled out of the Games through injury.

Defending 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene has also questioned his chances of earning a podium place, as he battles back to full fitness for the Games.

Despite the absence of Stanford and James, Team Wales chef de mission Brian Davies says the target remains.

Lynn Davies, a two-time Commonwealth gold medallist, believes that cyclist Geraint Thomas and Greene, if fit, are among Wales' main medal hopes in Glasgow.

"We've got some great competitors in athletics, cycling, swimming, boxing and weightlifting," he added.

"There's so much hard work, dedication and focus goes in from not just the athletes, but from the coaches, officials, governing bodies and Sport Wales.

"It's a real team effort and it's rightly called Team Wales."