Kirsty Gilmour and Micky Yule named as Team Scotland flagbearers for Commonwealth Games

Team Scotland has announced the two flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018 medallist Kirsty Gilmour and Paralympic bronze medallist Micky Yule have both been selected by their Team Scotland peers for the honour, which will see Scotland have two flagbearers for the first time in Games history.

The pair will lead out their fellow athletes in the Alexander Stadium on Thursday.

Badminton star Gilmour will be competing in her fourth games and won medals at both Glasgow 2014 and Gold Coast 2018.

“I am over the moon to have been selected by my fellow athletes to carry the flag for Scotland,” she said. “Representing Scotland has always been a huge honour but to be named flagbearer for a Games so close to home is amazing.

“What makes this even more special is that I will be walking alongside Micky who is an inspirational athlete and I have no doubt it will a very special moment for both of us.

“For me personally, I am also the first openly gay athlete to carry the flag for Scotland – a huge honour for me and for everyone in the LGBTQ community. I can’t wait to get to Alexander Stadium now.”

Yule is preparing for his third Games and was the first Scottish athlete to compete in Para-Powerlifting at the 2014 Games in Glasgow, where he finished fourth. He returned for Gold Coast 2018, just missing out on a medal again, coming fourth for his second consecutive Games.

Having finished sixth on his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, he put in a fabulous performance to win bronze at Tokyo 2020 with a lift of 182kg. A member of the British Army, Micky was injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) whilst serving in Afghanistan in 2010, an injury that required more than 40 operations and left him a double amputee. Having competed in Power-lifting competitions for the Army since 2007, he took a year to recover before getting back into the gym in 2011 and competing for Great Britain in Para-Sport Powerlifting competitions.

Chair of Commonwealth Games Scotland Paul Bush OBE said “This is a fantastic moment for Team Scotland, and for Kirsty and Micky. Selecting two flagbearers who have such an impressive track record in sport is a real honour for us and shows that our athletes are role models and heroes to so many for more than just their sporting achievements. I look forward to seeing them on parade at Alexander Stadium on Thursday.”

Team Scotland Chef de Mission, Elinor Middlemiss said “We are so proud to have selected two amazing flagbearers to lead Scotland into the Stadium on Thursday night. We are really proud of all of they have achieved and to be selected by their fellow athletes is recognition of how highly regarded they are within Scottish sport. We couldn’t wish for two better athletes to lead our team into the Games.”

Maree Todd, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport said: “I am delighted that Kirsty and Micky will lead the Team into the Opening Ceremony as Flag Bearers. To be selected by their fellow team members demonstrates how worthy and experienced they are as athletes. I am sure it will be a proud moment and everyone in the Ceremony and at home will be cheering them on.”