Ambassador Barzun was in the Welsh capital to discuss ongoing trade partnerships with the USA and Wales’ and the historic relationship between the two countries with the First Minister Carwyn James.
But he couldn’t resist the opportunity to drop in on one of world’s most iconic rugby and multi-event venues and Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Roger Lewis was a willing host.
The Ambassador recorded a message of support for the USA rugby team ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup from the Millennium Stadium bowl which has been posted online at http://youtu.be/_-ztfdlxtCA
Mr Barzun rose to the challenge of filming his message entirely in Welsh and he didn’t make it easy for himself either, including a near syllable perfect reference to the North Wales village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch as he said:
“It’s great to be back in Wales, last time I learnt Welsh…but this time, rugby. Come on USA in the Rugby World Cup 2015.”
Mr Lewis presented the Ambassador with a signed and framed Wales jersey before giving him a tour of the facilities at the multi-event venue, including a trip into the Wales national squad home dressing room and out onto the famous pitch, which is currently covered awaiting the arrival of the One Direction concert.
“It was a great pleasure to be able to show off our magnificent facilities here at the Millennium Stadium to Ambassador,” he said.
“The WRU of course already has strong and established links with the US through one of our main commercial partners Under Armour.
“We gave him a quick tour and took him out onto the new state-of-the-art terraplas surface which is covering the pitch at the moment, where he was keen to throw a rugby ball around.
“He was in complete agreement that there is a huge potential to continue to develop a mutually rewarding working relationship between our two nations.”
