Sophie Pascoe named as New Zealand's Commonwealth Games team flag bearer

New Zealand para swimmer Sophie Pascoe holds the Commonwealth Games Queen's baton. Photo / getty Images.

Sophie Pascoe has been named as New Zealand's team flag bearer for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

The announcement was made by chef de mission Rob Waddell in front of around 500 people at the ballroom of the QT Hotel in Surfers Paradise. The venue will moonlight as New Zealand House for the duration of the Games.

Waddell says Pascoe epitomises the team's values and culture.

"What this athlete does transcends sport and touches the hearts and emotions of every New Zealander. She is an inspiration.

"She will follow in the footsteps of some of New Zealand's greatest sportspeople when she leads the team into the opening ceremony tomorrow night."

Christchurch-based Pascoe won two gold medals at Glasgow in 2014, her first Commonwealth Games. She has also won 15 medals as the country's most decorated Paralympian.

Pascoe heard the news a fortnight ago.

"It's humbling to have been chosen out of the many world champion athletes we've created in New Zealand.

"I wasn't considered as a Paralympic athlete, I was considered as one of the athletes of the New Zealand team. It'll be a moment to remember forever."

Pascoe will never lead New Zealand into an Olympics, after an accident with her legs in a lawnmower accident as a toddler, but her position as the New Zealand swimming team's queen-pin is undisputed.

The Commonwealth Games are often referenced as "The Friendly Games" under their "humanity, equality, destiny" mantra.

As CG 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 sets an example.

She began swimming at seven years old when Paralympians Roly Crichton and Graham Condon were impressed by her potential and asked her to join the QEII Swim Club.

Crichton has coached her for 14 years. She shares her training time between Auckland and Christchurch and generally completes 14 sessions per week.

Pascoe is competing in the SM10 200m individual medley on April 7 and the SB9 100m breaststroke on April 9. She entered the Games village today following a training camp on the Sunshine Coast.

Pascoe is New Zealand's 21st Commonwealth Games opening ceremony flagbearer following predecessor Dame Valerie Adams.