Emma Finucane: BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2024

Carmarthen's Cycling Sensation
Track cyclist Emma Finucane has once again been named the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2024. This prestigious recognition is not just a repeat victory but a testament to her outstanding achievements this past year. At just 21 years old, Finucane made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first woman in 60 years to win three medals for Team GB at a single Olympic event.

Unprecedented Olympic Success
Competing at her first Olympics, Finucane played an instrumental role in Team GB's gold medal win in the team sprint, alongside her teammates Katy Marchant and Sophie Capewell, setting a new world record in the process. In addition to her gold, she claimed bronze medals in both the keirin and individual sprint events at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome. Her success mirrors the achievements of British athletics icon Mary Rand, who similarly excelled at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Finucane expressed her joy and disbelief at the medal haul, stating, "To come away with three medals is more than I could have dreamed of."

A Year of Triumphs
In early 2024, Finucane kicked off her Olympic year with a stellar performance at the UEC Elite Track European Championships in the Netherlands, becoming the first British woman to win the individual sprint European title. She followed this triumph with a gold medal in the team sprint alongside Marchant, Capewell, and Lauren Bell at the UCI Tissot Track Nations Cup in Adelaide. Further accolades at the World Cup events featured gold in both the team sprint and keirin events, solidifying her status as one of the premier track cyclists in the world.

World Championship Glory
After her resounding Olympic success, Finucane continued to ace her competitions, successfully defending her women's individual sprint title at the UCI Tissot Track World Championships in Ballerup, Denmark. This victory marked her as the first British woman to achieve back-to-back titles since the legendary Victoria Pendleton in 2010. She rounded off her year with yet another gold medal in the women's team sprint, completing an extraordinary Olympic-World Championship double.

Honored and Grateful
"When I heard the news I couldn't believe it," Finucane remarked about her latest award win. She highlighted the honor of being recognized among other talented Welsh athletes, emphasizing her pride in representing Wales. As she prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in 2026, Finucane is eager to don the Welsh jersey once again and continue to inspire the next generation of cyclists.

Legacy in the Making
Emma Finucane's remarkable journey in cycling began at the age of eight, where she trained with her sister Rosie at Towy Riders. After catching the eye of the Great Britain Cycling Team, she joined their academy program in 2018, quickly establishing herself as a formidable force in the sport. With her historic achievements, she now stands alongside Welsh legends and continues to be a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.

As we celebrate Emma's achievements, it’s clear that the future holds even greater possibilities for this extraordinary young athlete.