9:19am Saturday 13th February 2010
By Gary Lawrence
Pewsey slider Shelley Rudman carried the British flag at the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver in the early hours of this morning.
Britain's only medallist at the last games, a silver in the skeleton bob, was given the honour after the Gazette launched a campaign and lobbied the British Olympic Association.
The event was tainted with sadness after the death of 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
He crashed at high speed at Whistler Sliding Centre during training just hours before the Games opened.
The Georgian team, wearing black armbands, were given a standing ovation at the ceremony, held in Vancouver.
Rudman said: "It has really shocked the sliding world.
"I send all my condolences to Nodars family, friends and team and my thoughts are with them. Rest in peace Nodar."
Rudman has also been named one of the two team captains of Team GB, a new initiative designed to give younger athletes leadership and support. Rudman will captain the athletes based in Whistler while David Murdoch, skip of the men's curling team who are the reigning world champions, will be the Vancouver-based team captain.
"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," she said.
Rudman begins her competition next Friday at midnight UK time. Live coverage is on the BBC.
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