Bowler Alex Marshall, a veteran of seven Commonwealth Games with five gold medals to his name, is set to receive a career highlight when he carries the Scottish flag during Thursday’s opening ceremony. Although he previously led the team at the 2014 Glasgow closing ceremony, this marks his first experience as an opening flagbearer. He will share this duty with judoka Sarah Adlington, following a vote by their fellow athletes.
For the 59-year-old Marshall, the appointment is deeply moving, noting that he struggled to hold back tears when he first saw his teammates’ reaction. He will be competing alongside his niece, Beth Riva, making this event particularly meaningful. Marshall joked that he would playfully compete with Adlington to see who gets to hold the flag first during the ceremony.
Adlington, a two-time gold medalist who is aiming for a third victory, admitted that keeping the secret for several weeks was a significant challenge. The 39-year-old expressed her excitement and nerves, stating that she expects to lose sleep in anticipation of the big event. Both athletes are preparing for the start of the Games with great pride as they look forward to representing Scotland on the global stage.
