Almost 200 New Zealand athletes and support staff will march in the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games tonight.
The New Zealand Team will be led into the Ceremony by swimmer Sophie Pascoe, who was named as flag bearer yesterday.
New Zealand athletes from men’s rugby sevens, swimming, cycling, weightlifting, badminton, beach volleyball, boxing, gymnastics, lawn bowls, shooting, squash, field and wrestling will march in the ceremony.
It’ll be the first time Hamish Bond has ever marched at either an Olympic or Commonwealth Games.
“I’ve got a few days between the ceremony and my race in the time trial so I figured this is a great opportunity to march. I’m sure the Gold Coast will do a good job and it’ll be one those experiences which will stay with me forever so I’m looking forward to it,” said Bond.
Above: The Carrara Stadium which hosts the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games
Pole vaulter Olivia McTaggart will also be marching in her first Opening Ceremony. She’ll be joined by her brother, weightlifter Cameron McTaggart.
“To be marching out there with my brother at my first Games is really exciting, I can't wait for the atmosphere and it’s going to be a really proud moment for both of us,” said McTaggart.
The Opening Ceremony begins at 2000 local time (2200 New Zealand time).
An estimated 1.5 billion people will tune in to watch the Opening Ceremony which will feature a celebration of Gold Coast beach life and indigenous culture in a three-hour showcase.
Guests including Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, as well as Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, will be among the 35,000-strong crowd.
Lifesavers and Aboriginal performers will take centre stage at the ceremony, with the middle of the stadium turned into an inland beach.
A didgeridoo orchestra, ballet dancers from the famous Bangarra Aboriginal dance group and a traditional smoking ceremony will feature as part of a strong indigenous theme running through the ceremony.
Kids wearing surf lifesaver gear and carrying matching pink rescue boards will lead the athletes from the 71 Commonwealth nations and territories into the stadium.
Some New Zealand athletes have chosen not to march as they begin competition tomorrow (as is typical for all Games).