Squash ace Matthew beats Farah and Wiggins to flagbearer role
THREE-TIME squash world champion Nick Matthew admits he is humbled to have been chosen to carry England’s flag at today’s Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow.
Matthew, 33, enjoys a low profile despite his numerous successes but was nominated by his team-mates ahead of household names such as Mo Farah and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
“I’m quite humbled to be leading these guys out, some amazing athletes like Sir Bradley Wiggins,” he said. “It’s been hard to keep it a secret as I wanted to shout it from the rooftops.”
Matthew, who once threw his racquet into the Thames after becoming exasperated with a gruelling schedule, has won the World Open and British Open three times apiece, and took both singles and doubles gold at the 2010 Games. Squash is among the first sports to get underway when competition begins tomorrow, as well as track cycling, in which Wiggins goes in the team pursuit.
Sprinter Dwain Chambers has withdrawn from the England squad, where he had been due to be part of the 4 x 100m relay team, and switched his focus to next month’s European Championships.
GLASGOW HIGHLIGHTS
Track cycling (24-27 Jul): Wiggins aims for team pursuit gold tomorrow; Laura Trott and Jason Kenny on Friday
Athletics (27 Jul-2 Aug): Farah goes in 5,000m on Sunday and 10,000m a week on Friday; Usain Bolt brings the curtain down in 4x100m on Sat 2 Aug
Rugby Union (26-27 Jul): England bid for Sevens success this weekend