Shelley to carry Union Flag at Opening Ceremony

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has announced that Shelley Rudman, a Silver Medallist in skeleton at the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, will carry the Union Flag for Team GB at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver on Friday.

For the first time, Team GB is also naming two Team Captains at these Games. The captains will offer leadership and advice to the athletes around them, with one captain based in Vancouver, the other in Whistler.

In Vancouver, the team captain will be David Murdoch, skip of the men’s curling team who are the reigning world champions. In Whistler, the team captain will be Shelley Rudman.

Commenting on the decision Shelley Rudman said: “I am so excited to be selected to carry the flag for Team GB. It’s a huge honour for me to have been chosen to represent our team, and ultimately our country, in this way. There are some wonderful athletes here, and I will be so proud to be the person who leads them into the stadium.

“I’m looking forward to the Opening Ceremony very much indeed. I’m sure it’s going to be a fantastic occasion and, as athletes, it’s a sign to us that the Games really are getting under way.

“It’s an added privilege to be named as Team Captain for the Whistler athletes, and when I look at some of the talented competitors we have up in the mountains, it’s very exciting.”

David Murdoch said: “I take a great deal of pride in being part of Team GB and representing my country at the Olympic Winter Games, so to be named as a Team Captain is a fantastic fillip for me, and great recognition for the sport of curling.

“I will absolutely do my best to offer advice and support to all the athletes in Vancouver. I know from experience that competing at an Olympic Games can be a daunting prospect, and I look forward to passing on some of my knowledge, and supporting the athletes in every way I can.”

Andy Hunt, Chef de Mission, Team GB: “Shelley and David are outstanding athletes and, as with all members of Team GB, they represent the Best of British. Both of them richly deserve to have been honoured in this way.

“Shelley won Team GB’s only medal at the last Olympic Winter Games and did a huge amount to raise the profile of both skeleton as a sport, and winter sports in general. I can’t think of a more suitable candidate to carry the Union Flag at the Opening Ceremony.

“David is an inspirational skip whose team are the reigning world champions. He is an enormously impressive athlete who will, I’m sure, offer the same level of leadership as Team Captain as he does on the ice.”

Notes to Editors

Shelley Rudman biography: Four years ago, Shelley represented Team GB’s medal haul from the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Her silver medal was the team’s outstanding achievement of the Games, and propelled her to fame and acclaim.

Since then, she has had a baby – Ella-Marie - yet retained the enthusiasm, drive and determination that propelled her to the Olympic podium. Shelley, 28, finished the 2009-2010 season ranked second in the world after finishing on the podium in four out of eight World Cup races, including victories in Cesena and St Moritz.

Before taking up skeleton, Shelley was also a top-level athlete and cross-country runner. Her father Jack was also a talented sportsman, competing as, among other things, a light-middleweight boxer.

David Murdoch biography: Skip of the men’s team, and twice a world champion. David has been curling for most of his life. He comes from Lockerbie and is widely regarded as one of the world’s outstanding curlers.

David, 31, was world junior champion twice, before being promoted to the senior ranks. He says that coming fourth in the 2006 Olympics was a huge disappointment, but also a great learning experience.

He led Scotland to the world title in Canada at the start of 2009, making them the reigning world champions. Also a three-time European champion, David’s ambition post-Vancouver is to ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

The Flag Bearer was chosen after consultation with athletes and team leaders. The BOA set a series of criteria, notably outstanding and sustained success at world-class level and respect for the values of Team GB, and drew up a short-list of candidates. A vote was then held to determine the winner.

Team GB consists of 52 athletes from 6 sports and 11 disciplines at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Visit www.teamgb.com for further information.