JAZZ Carlin’s Commonwealth Games preparations have been boosted after she was confirmed to be Team Wales’ flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

The Swindon-born swimmer, who won two Olympic silver medals at Rio 2016, will lead Wales out at the Carrara Stadium this morning.

It’s the first time Carlin, who lives in Bradford on Avon, will lead her nation out at an internationally recognised competition, and the 27-year-old is looking forward to a successful week in the pool.

She said: “I’m honoured and excited to have the opportunity to lead the 2018 Team Wales for the opening ceremony.

“I think the older you get, the more you appreciate the experience of being at the Games.

“I have fond memories of Glasgow, which was an incredible event. Obviously, like any competition, I’m aiming for a podium.”

Carlin begins her campaign in the pool in the early hours of Thursday morning when she goes in the heats of the 200m freestyle and will be hoping to replicate the heroics of her standout performances in Delhi eight years.

After landing silver in the 200m, Carlin expanded on her medal count with bronze in the 400m freestyle – making her the first Welsh swimmer in 80 years to win two medals at one Commonwealth Games.

This year, the Welsh swimmer will compete in the 200m and 800m – in what is her fourth Commonwealth appearance.

She said: “Training has been going really well.

“We completed a three-week altitude camp before flying to Australia and have enjoyed a small rest before the Games.

“It will be my fourth Games, I definitely feel like one of the older ones.

“The Commonwealth Games is known as the friendly games. It’s always exciting to team up with the Welsh squad.”

For Carlin to reach the Games, she has had to swim 640 25metre lengths five times a week plus more gruelling work out of the pool.

But the early starts seem worth it for the four-time Commonwealth medallist – who also bagged a pair of silver medals at the latest Olympic Games in Rio – as she prepares to fly the Welsh flag having moved west as a teenager with her family to benefit her career in the pool.

Carlin experienced double success at the last Commonwealth Games, held in Glasgow.

Her efforts earned the Welsh international gold in the 800m freestyle and silver in the 400m, making her the first Welsh swimmer to win gold in 40 years.

She said: “I have fond memories from Glasgow, which was an incredible event. I’m aiming for a podium again.”