As well as the ambitious target for the Games in Scotland, Professor Laura McAllister, the chair of Sports Wales, announced that the team are aiming to claim the number one spot in the medals per head of population table in Glasgow.

In another bold move, the country - which has a population of under than three million, less than half than the amount of people who live in London - have also targetted between six and 10 medals across the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games and at least 30 medals in the next two Paralympic Games.

They also want to be the leading contributor of British medals at the Paralympics on a per capita basis.

The lofty targets have been agreed with the National Governing Bodies of Sport in Wales including Welsh Athletics, Swim Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union and Disability Sport Wales while the plan also has the backing of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Despite the vast difficultly of the small nation achieving such phenomenal success, McAllister claimed that she has every confidence in Wales overcoming the odds.

McAllister told insidethegames: "There is no doubt that the targets we have set are indeed unashamedly ambitious and extremely difficult to achieve but they are by no means unrealistic.

"They have been agreed with all the relevant National Governing Bodies in Wales and to be honest, I am quite relaxed about the targets because I believe we have the right strategy in place to achieve our goals.

"We are seeking to build on our systems and support to ensure success and if you look at our history in terms of elite sporting success, Wales has much to be proud of.

"We are a small nation, but one which consistently punches above its weight on the international stage.

"We want Wales to be world renowned as a successful sporting nation, where winning is expected, talent is developed and success is promoted and celebrated across a wide range of sports.

"We believe that this strategy marks the beginning of a journey to further and greater success in the future."

Wales' best performance at the Commonwealth Games was in Auckland in 1990 when they won a total of 25 medals, including 10 gold, to finish sixth overall.

They won more medals in Manchester in 2002, claiming 31, six of which were gold, including Cooke, who won the cycling road race.

Other medallists included Colin Jackson (pictured), who finished second in the 110m hurdles.

McAllister admited, that with London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 being on the doorstep of Wales and essential both home Games for the country, the targets set by Sport Wales are far more achievable than they would otherwise be.

She said: “With London and Glasgow so close to Wales, our athletes will obviously not need to adapt to the conditions and that will be a huge advantage."

Welsh athletes have won a total of 49 Olympics medals, including 20 gold, competing under the Great Britain banner.

The most successful Welshman is Paulo Radmilovic, the Cardiff-born swimmer and water polo star who won four golds over three Olympics between 1908 and 1920.

He was Britain's most successful Olympic athlete until rower Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth gold medal in successive Games in Sydney in 2000.

The performance in Beijing - where gold was won by Cooke in the cycling road race, Thomas in coxless fours and Thomas in the cycling team pursuit as Welsh athletes won a total of five medals - was the country's most successful for 96 years.

McAllister is hopeful that totaly may be surpassed in London.

She said: "Our athletes will have great support in both 2012 and 2014 and with because of that, we have a huge chance of being very successful.

"If the events were taking place in locations on the other side of the world that our athletes are not familiar with, our targets would perhaps be unrealistic but they are achievable because of London in 2012 and Glasgow in 2014.

"Glasgow is a particular priority because the Commonwealth Games are the only major multi-sport event in which athletes can pull on the red vest and proudly compete as Wales."

Despite tough economic times, Sport Wales will stretch their resources to focus investment and support on a smaller number of sports that have potential to deliver success at the both the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics and Paralympics.

A system of categorisation through which different levels of support will be applied will also be introduced while there will be support for world-class athletes whether they compete in a categorised sport or not.

McAllister said: "We are a small nation with limited resources so we must demonstrate return on investment in a tough financial climate.

"Our strategy is designed to deliver maximum success for the funding available and seeks to focus on excellence and value for the Welsh sporting pound."

Wales' Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones, who has responsibility for sport, added: "Wales is a small nation with big ambitions.

"We want to win medals at the major multi sport events like the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Commonwealth Games.

"We want to win World and European Championships and to be known across the world for our sporting achievements.

"This strategy provides a clear direction and ambitious targets for elite sport in Wales.

"It provides a sound basis for making the best use of available resources to deliver excellence and for measuring progress towards our ambitions."

Glasgow 2014 chief executive John Scott welcomed the ambitious target.

He said: "Hosting the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 is going to be a fantastic experience for all athletes as Scotland will host 71 Commonwealth nations and territories, including Wales. 

"With four years to go until our Opening Ceremony, I am delighted that Wales are already setting their sights high."

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