Sophie Pascoe has been selected as New Zealand flag bearer for the Commonwealth Games.
New Zealand chef de mission Rob Waddell appears to have a choice between two athletes as he prepares to announce the country's Commonwealth Games flagbearer at 6.44pm.
Sophie Pascoe and Tom Walsh's CVs make them perfect candidates to lead the team into Carrara Stadium tomorrow night at the opening ceremony.
The announcement will be made at the ballroom of the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise, a venue moonlighting as New Zealand House for the duration of the Games.
Former Commonwealth Games gold medallists are favoured for the honour, but athletes competing in the first couple of days are generally ruled out of contention.
That means squash player Joelle King, lawn bowler Jo Edwards, and sprint cyclists Ethan Mitchell, Sam Webster and Eddie Dawkins are more likely to have an early night than wield the staff.
Shot putter Dame Valerie Adams and weightlifter Richie Patterson carried the flag into the respective opening and closing ceremonies at Glasgow.
If Pascoe and Walsh faced a hypothetical "job interview" for the team captaincy, here's what they might pitch:
Pascoe will never lead New Zealand into an Olympics, but the 25-year-old's a contender for this honour after two gold medals in Glasgow four years ago and her position as the swimming team's queen-pin due to her Paralympic feats.
In addition, this event is often referenced as "The Friendly Games" under the "humanity, equality, destiny" mantra.
As Commonwealth Games Federation president Louise Martin pointed out to the Herald last weekend: "This will be the largest fully inclusive para-sport event.
"I want inclusivity and accessibility for all athletes. We don't have a separate Games, I don't believe in that, because everybody's equal.
"We want to make sure everybody is recognised in exactly the same way with fairness and non-discrimination. We must do that in everything we practise and teach."
Selecting Pascoe would set an example.
Sophie Pascoe. Photo / Photosport
Tom Walsh of New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
In Walsh's pitch, he took silver in the shot put at Glasgow, and is arguably New Zealand's premier athlete at present.
The 26-year-old shot putter has claimed almost every title in the sport, and became the first New Zealand male to secure a medal in an Olympic field event with bronze at Rio.
New Zealand has never produced a men's Commonwealth shot put champion. Les Mills, Courtney Ireland and Walsh have taken silver in 1966, 1994 and 2014 respectively.
A new chapter in New Zealand athletics history could be written on April 9, given how far Walsh remains clear of his Commonwealth rivals this outdoor season.
Last weekend he heaved a new personal best of 22.67m, 36cm better than his last, when he defended his world indoor championship on March 3 in Birmingham.
By comparison, Canadian Tim Nedow has thrown 20.77m, Australian Damien Birkinhead 20.75m and Glasgow champion, Jamaican O'Dayne Richards, 20.61m.
Walsh's building experience might come in handy too, when it comes to flagbearing duties. He's used to lugging 2 x 4 timber onto construction sites. In his hands, the New Zealand flag might resemble something you'd pop in a cocktail at happy hour.
Friend Jessica Massey describes the bullying texts Olivia Podmore was receiving from squadmates on the first day of the coronial inquest into the death of the Olympic cyclist.
