London 2012 Olympic Champion boxer Nicola Adams has today been selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Baku 2015 European Games on Friday 12 June. Adams was selected from a group of athletes that were nominated by sport Team Leaders. In order to be considered for the honour of Team GB Flagbearer, an athlete must exemplify the Olympic Values and uphold the One Team GB Values. Adams will have the privilege of being the first ever Team GB Flagbearer at a European Games. The 32-year-old was ecstatic upon receiving the news that she would carry the flag on behalf of the 160 British athletes who will represent Team GB in Baku.
Adams said: “To be representing Team GB at the first ever European Games is a great honour and being selected as the Flagbearer will be a truly unforgettable experience. I know that carrying the flag will be a very proud moment not only for me and my family but also for everyone who has supported my career up to this point.
“I will always cherish the experience of leading Team GB into the stadium. I intend to use this honour to drive me on to perform as well as I can and encourage my teammates to be their best. I hope that this is just the start of a successful Games for Team GB.”
Twice world amateur champion, Adams shot to national fame when she became the first women ever to win a boxing gold medal at the Olympic Games in 2012. She added the Commonwealth Games title to her Olympic flyweight crown in Glasgow last year. Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England said: “Nicola is a superb choice to lead Team GB into the Opening Ceremony in Baku and we are very proud to have her as our Flagbearer.
“As an Olympic Champion, Nicola is a huge inspiration to the whole of the team. She understands and embraces the responsibilities that come with being an Olympian and a member of Team GB. As the first ever women to win Olympic boxing gold, Nicola is a fantastic role model and will be the perfect person to embody the One Team GB Values on Opening Ceremony night.”
The Opening Ceremony will begin at 17:00 BST (21:00 Baku local time), on Friday, with the athlete’s parade taking place between 17:30-18:05 MT (21:30-22:05 Baku local time). During the parade around 65,000 spectators will welcome athletes from each of the 50 European nations into the National Stadium for the Opening Ceremony, which will officially mark the start the of the first ever European Games. Boxing Team Leader Rob McCracken added: “I am absolutely delighted for Nicola, being Flagbearer is a huge honour for any athlete. Nicola has been flying the flag not just for British boxing but also for British sport ever since her amazing success in London. She is a fantastic role model not only for Team GB athletes here in Baku but for people across the country.”
“There is an extra responsibility that comes with being an Olympic Champion and Nicola has always shown the qualities required. I know that being Flagbearer will be a huge inspiration not only for her performance in Baku but also ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio next year.”