More bad hair days for Welsh athletes

ONCE can be put down to a flukey one-off, twice can be dismissed as a coincidence but three times - this is becoming a worrying trend.

What is it with the hairstyles of Welsh athletes?

In particular, what is it with the hairstyles of Welsh 400m runners?

Joe Thomas made his British debut at last weekend's Aviva International sporting a bemusing barnet that unfortunately proved a bigger talking point than his own performance in the 800m.  

It appeared his Mum had applied the pudding basin, hacked away with a rusty pair of garden secateurs, before applying liberal splashes of orange and purple paint for good effect.

In his defence, Thomas, a promising prospect, has only just turned 21 and his youthful experimentation is a lot less dangerous to his health than the sort enjoyed by the majority of his peers.

HAIR TODAY: Joe Thomas makes his debut for Great Britain in the 800m at the Aviva International in Glasgow (Getty Images)

However, what excuse did Matt Elias have?

From shocking red to deepest blue and a combination of both, his sartorial elegance may be absent from the track today but his influence is clearly still felt in the valleys.

BAD LOOK: Matt Elias goes all patriotic with a red, white and blue haircut to match his British vest (Getty Images)

And finally there was Jamie Baulch - whose hair changed with the tide, let alone the seasons.

NO LAUGHING MATTER: Jamie Baulch was the David Beckham on the track with his ever-changing barnet (Getty Images)

In the hair salon of shame these three win gold, silver and bronze - although do you know any other contenders?

James Toney is the Managing Editor of national press agency Sportsbeat and four-time shortlisted Sports Journalist of the Year.

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