Ellie Bowen, a remarkable 17-year-old athlete, is set to make her Commonwealth Games debut, representing Wales in the seated shot put. Her journey to this moment is nothing short of extraordinary, beginning when she was just 13 months old and diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis, a severe bacterial infection that led to the amputation of her right leg.

Bowen reflects on her early challenges, stating, "Because I had my leg amputated at such a young age, it was just normal to me." As she matured, sports became a crucial part of her identity, helping her embrace her uniqueness and realize her athletic aspirations.

Born in Caerphilly, she credits her early passion for sports to her dreams of representing her country, a goal she has held since the age of four. Anthony Hughes, performance director at Disability Sport Wales, recognized her potential and introduced her to wheelchair racing, where she quickly excelled and won medals.

Despite the onset of Covid, Bowen's determination shone through. She returned to competition and was named the best performer shortly after starting shot put, discus, and javelin.

Her parents, Anne and Martin, have been her unwavering support. They consider themselves "lucky" to have her, especially after nearly losing her as a baby. Martin even built a specially adapted bicycle and a campervan to enable her to participate in competitions.

As she prepares for the biggest competition of her life, Bowen expresses gratitude for simply being there. "It would mean the world to me to win a medal but just being there, I'm so thankful," she said, with her proud parents cheering her on at Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium.