POSTED: February 12th 2010
NewsUpdate
Rudman leads the way for Team GB in Vancouver - and so does Murdoch
KEIR RADNEDGE / Sports Features Communications
LONDON/VANCOUVER, Feb 12: Shelley Rudman, a silver medallist in skeleton at the 2006 Winter Olympics, carries the British flag at the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
For the first time, Team GB named two team captains with one captain based in Vancouver, the other in Whistler. The Vancouver captain is David Murdoch, skip of the men’s curling team who are the reigning world champions. Rudman is captain in Whistler.
Rudman, 28, said: “I am so excited about carrying the flag. It’s a huge honour to be chosen to represent our team and ultimately our country, in this way. There are some wonderful athletes here, and I will be so proud to be the person who leads them into the stadium.
“It’s an added privilege to be named as team captain for the Whistler athletes, and when I look at some of the talented competitors we have up in the mountains, it’s very exciting.”
Murdoch said: “I take a great deal of pride in being part of Team GB and representing my country at the Games so to be team captain is a fantastic fillip for me and great recognition for the sport of curling.
“I know from experience that competing at an Olympic Games can be a daunting prospect, and I look forward to passing on some of my knowledge, and supporting the athletes in every way I can.”
Andy Hunt, the chef de mission, said: “Shelley and David are outstanding athletes and, as with all members of Team GB, represent the Best of British.
"Shelley won Team GB’s only medal at the last Olympic Winter Games and did a huge amount to raise the profile of both skeleton as a sport, and winter sports in general. I can’t think of a more suitable candidate.
“David is an inspirational skip whose team are the reigning world champions. He is an enormously impressive athlete who will, I’m sure, offer the same level of leadership as team captain as he does on the ice.”
Rudman's silver medal was the British team’s outstanding achievement of the 2006 Games. Since then, she has had a baby – Ella-Marie - yet finished the 2009-10 season ranked second in the world after finishing on the podium in four out of eight World Cup races, including victories in Cesena and St Moritz.
Murdoch, 31, from Lockerbie, is widely regarded as one of the world’s outstanding curlers. He was twice world junior champion and led Scotland to the world title in Canada at the start of 2009. He is also a three-times European champion.
Earlier Lord Seb Coe, chairman of London 2012, carried the Olympic torch on its relay towards the Opening Ceremony. He received the torch from California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the last of the torch's 106-day journey across Canada.
Keywords · 2010 Winter Olympics · Team GB · Rudman · Murdoch
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