Glasgow 2014: Scotland flag bearer to be named

The Scots athlete who will have the honour of carrying the Saltire into the opening ceremony of the 20th Commonwealth Games on Wednesday night is set to be announced today.

Jackie Smith with Clyde and the baton at the top of Buchanan Street. Picture: HEMEDIA

The athlete, who has not yet been named, will be revealed at a special reception at the headquarters of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow at 4pm. He or she will lead the national team into Celtic Park at the head of the parade of all the 71 competing national teams.

The flag-bearer is often a member of the team who has excelled in previous Games. Four years ago in Delhi the honour went to cyclist Ross Edgar. It was Edgar’s third Commonwealth Games and in the previous two hostings of the Games he had won a gold, a silver and two bronze medals. Four years previously, in Melbourne, the Scottish team was led out by shooter Ian Marsden and in 2002 it was another cyclist, Craig MacLean.

Of the current team, possible candidates are Euan Burton from judo, bowlers Alex Marshall and Paul Foster, Jennifer McIntosh from shooting and athlete Eilidh Child. The bearer is chosen by a poll of team members.