Van Dyk to carry flag at Games opening parade

Irene van Dyk. Photo / Richard Robinson

Irene van Dyk will carry the flag for New Zealand when the Commonwealth Games start in Delhi early tomorrow morning.

The 38-year-old netballer has completed a remarkable transition from formidable South African goal shoot to a Silver Fern hero with her accuracy and poise on the court.

New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie said van Dyk was the ideal selection.

"She was genuinely overwhelmed and gave the most amazing response of 'seriously?' It was a real honour offering it to her."

Currie said several other athletes would have been considered but could not do it for logistical or other reasons.

Shot put star Valerie Adams was an early favourite but does not arrive in Delhi until the day after the ceremony. Likewise, Olympic Games 1500m silver medallist Nick Willis is expected a day later than Adams.

Moss Burmester might have been a contender as a 2006 gold medallist but he competes the next day and is not expected to replicate his 2006 success.

Shooter Greg Yelavich, competing at his seventh Commonwealth Games and with 11 medals to his credit, carried the flag at Melbourne and Beatrice Faumuina has also done it before. Veteran cyclist Greg Henderson would have been a favourite, until he pulled out.

Van Dyk will be presented with a pounamu pendant commemorating the appointment.

Van Dyk earned 72 caps for South Africa before switching allegiance to New Zealand. She has played 109 tests for the Silver Ferns and is set to overtake Lesley Rumball as the highest-capped player in the second test at the Games.

The sight of her throwing the ball in the air at Melbourne as the Silver Ferns took gold was one of the enduring images of the 2006 Games.

The netballers remain a firm gold medal hope despite losing the recent series to Australia. Making van Dyk's appointment more intriguing is that Australia has appointed fellow shooter Sharelle McMahon to carry their flag. It is the first time a member of a team has done the job for Australia.

Around 60,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-hour opening ceremony at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium early tomorrow morning. Highlights reportedly include a performance by 1000 drummers, a simulated rail journey across the heartland of India and a segment featuring huge, vibrantly coloured traditional dolls from Rajasthan.

The stadium floor will be transformed into a dance floor and at its centre will be a huge floating balloon on to which video images will be projected.

About two-thirds of New Zealand's contingent of athletes and officials are expected to march in the ceremony.