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GEMMA NICOL FLIES THE FLAG FOR THE SCOTTISH COMMONWEALTH YOUTH GAMES
TEAM
Dunfermline’s Gemma Nicol, AAA 400m Champion, held the saltire high
today, St Andrew’s Day, as official flag bearer for the Scottish
team at the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games in Bendigo,
Australia, to mark the start of the international multi-sport games.
Sixty-nine of Scotland’s most talented young athletes will be taking
part in the games competing in athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling,
gymnastics (men’s and women’s artistic and rhythmic) lawn
bowls, rugby sevens swimming and weightlifting.
The Opening Ceremony took place at 19:30, local time (8:30 BST), at the
Tom Flood Sports Centre, the venue for the track cycling competition.
The Opening Ceremony involved over 1200 local and regional performers
and a 100 piece Brass Band, celebrating Bendigo's history through music
and movement, to help welcome athletes and team officials from the 24
Commonwealth countries taking part in the games.
Gemma Nicol, Flag Bearer said: "I'm honoured that I was chosen to
carry the Scottish flag on behalf of the Scottish Team.
"This event is a great opportunity for us all to gain the experience
we need if we are to be part of the team Melbourne 2006 or Delhi in 2010."
Steve Paulding, Team Manager said: “Gemma has had a fantastic year,
achieving success at the AAA Championships and the European Junior Clubs
Championship, as well as recording 11 Scottish records in the last year
alone.
“Her selection as flag bearer is well deserved. She is a fantastic
ambassador for the Scottish team, leading them into the stadium and hopefully
on to medal success in the games.”
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