Flying the flag
Sophie Pascoe leads the way at Commonwealth Games
The decision to make Sophie Pascoe New Zealand’s flagbearer at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games represents a symbolic moment in the country’s sporting history.
Taking a 25-year-old woman who has achieved at the ultimate level in para-sport and appointing her to lead the overall national team without an asterisk next to her name is an enlightened step.
It showcases the inclusivity and accessibility offered to Kiwi sportspeople, and sets an example to the world about why sport is important beyond the hunt for fame and fortune.
Generations from now, chef de mission Rob Waddell’s call might resonate as a pivotal moment in our sporting history.
Waddell named Pascoe in front of around 500 people at the QT Hotel ballroom in Surfers Paradise. The venue will moonlight as New Zealand House during the Games.
Draped in a New Zealand flag, Pascoe approached the lecturn and spoke about how she wanted to bring “integrity” to the team.
“I was pretty gob-smacked Rob flew to announce the news to me in Christchurch,” she said at the beach afterwards, amid a media throng.
“He sat me down at the high performance centre in Christchurch and it was humbling when he went through the reasons of why I had been chosen.
“This is huge for the movement of para-athletes and women in sport. This will be the Games where integration is key, and having 40,000 New Zealanders on the Gold Coast kind of makes it like a home games.”
Waddell says Pascoe epitomised 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. “The Commonwealth Games is about inclusivity and making sure everyone gets an equal chance. She’s somewhat of a rockstar in the team now, and I sense it was a popular choice among her peers.
“She worked out when she was racing and then half an hour later said ‘I would love to do it’.”
The Christchurch-based swimmer won two gold medals at Glasgow in 2014.
She has also won 15 medals as the country’s most decorated Paralympian.
Pascoe will never lead New Zealand into an Olympics after her legs were injured 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 referred to as “The Friendly Games” under their “humanity, equality, destiny” mantra.
Parents reading this will understand the joy bursting from Pascoe’s Mum and Dad, Jo and Garry, seeing their daughter bestowed with the honour.
They were totally unaware until the announcement.
“It came as a complete and utter shock,” Jo said, having come from Cairns and dropped their bags off at their hotel down the road.
“She’s classed as an athlete as much as a para-athlete, and it’s brought them all together.”
“It’s a huge, we’re over the moon,” Garry added. “It’s great to have such an integrated team.”
Both had initially planned to miss the opening ceremony, but Sophie reserved them a couple of tickets.
Pascoe began swimming at 7 years old when she was asked to join Christchurch’s QEII Swim Club.
Roly Crichton has coached her for 14 years.
She competes in the SM10 200m individual medley on April 7 and the SB9 100m breaststroke on April 9.