ParalympicsGB flagbearer announced as Amy Williams sends message of good luck to British team

As they prepare for the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, which start today (Friday March 12, 2010), the ParalympicsGB team received two sets of good news: the announcement of the flagbearer for the British team and a message of support from Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams.

Michael McCreadie, skip of the wheelchair curling team, has been named as ParalympicsGB’s flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony.

Of the honour, McCreadie said: “I am totally shocked, surprised and amazed to know that I am [going to be] holding the flag to represent all the skiers, all the curlers, and the support staff. Some things you can’t put into words. It will probably hit me as the team comes out onto the track at the presentation at the Opening Ceremony."

”I’m sure all the team will do Britain proud”, he added.

Glasgow-born McCreadie, who lives in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, is the skip of the wheelchair curling team. He is one of three curlers returning from the team that won Paralympic silver four years ago at the Turin Paralympic Winter Games and he is also a double world champion (2004, 2005).

ParalympicsGB Chief Executive Phil Lane said “Michael is the most experienced athlete we have out in Vancouver so for us it was a straight-forward decision. I am delighted he will represent ParalympicsGB at the Opening Ceremony in this way.”

McCreadie has competed at six Paralympic Games so far, four as a competitor and two as a coach. Vancouver will be his seventh Paralympic Games.

Meanwhile Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams sent a message of good luck to Britain’s Paralympians as they prepare to compete.

“I just want to wish you all the best of luck and I know you have all worked really hard to be there”, she said in her message.

“Just follow your dreams, you have all done all you can to prepare. So take a deep breath at the start of your race and just enjoy it. You are there to race and have fun and compete for your country and if you have that mindset, like I did, you’ll get your best result”, she advised the athletes.

ParalympicsGB has a team of 12 athletes competing across two sports: alpine skiing and wheelchair curling. The Paralympic Winter Games will run from March 12 to 21, 2010.

The Opening Ceremony will be held at 1800 (local time).