Irvine handles flag honour with aplomb

YOUTH OLYMPICS: Kingussie High School's Calum Irvine was selected to carry the Union Jack at the opening ceremony at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival taking place at Liberec in the Czech Republic this week.

Irvine, who was picked as flag bearer by his fellow Team GB athletes who took part in a secret vote, said: "I felt really honoured to be selected to carry the flag, especially because the other athletes made the choice.

"I felt that others deserved it as well, but I was really excited about the opening ceremony - although I was worried about dropping the flag and keeping it the right way up."

Jan Paterson, Team GB Chef de Mission said: "Calum was an excellent choice as Team GB's flag bearer for the opening ceremony.

"He represents the Olympic value of excellence as he is competing in both the biathlon and cross-country competitions.

"Calum led his fellow team-mates into the Tipsport Arena with pride."