Reigning Olympic, Commonwealth and World Champion shot putter Valerie Adams has been named flag bearer for the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team in Glasgow.
Valerie Adams, after being named flag bearer for New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team. Photo: RNZ
At a ceremony attended by more than 300 members of the New Zealand team, chef de mission Rob Waddell draped the New Zealand flag around Adams' shoulders to the applause of her team mates.
Waddell said Adams would represent New Zealand with honour at the Games and he was delighted to present her with the New Zealand flag ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
Adams was arguably New Zealand's greatest sportsperson and a true inspiration, especially to young people, he said. She was not only an outstanding athlete but also an outstanding New Zealander.
Adams said she was proud to be named flag bearer, and was honoured and humbled to be leading New Zealand in to the ceremony.
"It means everything. This is something I can tick off my bucket list," she said.
"I'm really humbled to be able to lead a team in. It's something that I've never done in my career.
"I've been doing this for 15 years now and it is my fourth Commonwealth Games. It actually is pretty awesome to be part of this team and to be part of this team and to be able to go to an opening ceremony and be a proud Kiwi."
Adams said she had had to turn down the honour during the London Olympic Games because it did not fit in with her competition schedule.
She told her fellow athletes she was honoured to be leading them into Glasgow's Celtic Park.
"I'm really proud to be a Kiwi. I'd like to carry the flag with pride tomorrow and I'm looking forward to leading you guys into the stadium tomorrow.
"You guys have worked so hard to be here. To all our young athletes, enjoy the experience."
With 53 consecutive wins under her belt, Adams also has two Olympic gold medals, two Commonwealth gold medals and four successive world titles to her name. She is a four-times Lonsdale Cup winner and three time overall Halberg Award winner.
Adams competes in the women's shot put on 30 July at the Hampden Park athletics stadium in Glasgow.
