Many contenders to carry NZ's flag

Speculating on the identity of New Zealand's flagbearer at Commonwealth and Olympic Games is always fraught with difficulty, but tomorrow's announcement is providing more head-scratching than in recent memory.

Long service and a history of success is the usual recipe, but a host of names throw up decent credentials to lead the New Zealanders into the City of Manchester Stadium on Friday morning.

At least eight contenders may stand out for chef de mission Dave Currie, who will make the announcement at an official team dinner.

One school of thought is that the shooters are due for some recognition.

From a sport that has been a reliable source of Commonwealth Games medals, the two most likely names are Greg Yelavich, who owns a New Zealand record 10 medals, or Stephen Petterson, who has four golds under his belt.

Of similar standing in lawn bowls are Peter Belliss and Rowan Brassey, who both made their Games debut in 1982.

But while they have reached the pinnacle at world championships, both are yet to taste Games golden success.

Discus queen Beatrice Faumuina must have a strong chance, winning gold at Kuala Lumpur to back up her silver four years earlier and 1997 world championship title.

She has also raised the profile of athletics considerably.

Walker Craig Barrett can boast no medals, but his dramatic collapse short of victory in Kuala Lumpur four years ago touched New Zealand hearts.

In terms of longevity it is hard to go past swimmer Toni Jeffs, who is attending her fourth Games. Now 33, she is getting faster with age and won bronze in Kuala Lumpur.

A relative youngster in with a shot is track cyclist Sarah Ulmer, who won the pursuit in Kuala Lumpur and continues to be an outstanding New Zealand representative on and off the bike.

But New Zealand's last two Commonwealth Games flagbearers have been cyclists - Brian Fowler in 1994 and Graeme Miller four years ago.

* Haunted by the memory of a devastating IRA bomb attack six years ago, Manchester police are determined to thwart any security threat to the Games.

Every centimetre of the city, from its sewers to its waterways, streets, alleys and public buildings, has been scoured for any sign of weapons, explosives or any other potential threat.

The police said that while there had been no specific international or domestic threat to the Games, officers were aware it was a potential target.

- NZPA

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/manchester2002

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