Twins make flag-bearing history

Last updated 23:35 24/08/2008

Kent Blechynden

Flying the flag: Caroline, left, and Georgina Evers-Swindell carry the nation's colours. The Evers-Swindells, the winners in Beijing and Athens, are the first siblings to carry the New Zealand flag together at an Olympic ceremony.

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Double gold medallists Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell were to create history early this morning in carrying the New Zealand flag during the Olympic closing ceremony in Beijing.

The Evers-Swindells, the winners in Beijing and Athens, are the first siblings to carry the New Zealand flag together at an Olympic ceremony, although boardsailors Barbara and Bruce Kendall carried it at successive Olympics in 1988 and 1992.

The flag-bearing duties are traditionally given to an athlete who has performed well at the Games.

New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie said it had been a particularly tough choice this year, with New Zealand winning three gold medals. "Ultimately, it came down to recognising Caroline and Georgina's extraordinary performance at Beijing but also taking into account their performance in Athens."

The closing ceremony, another singing, dancing and fireworks spectacular, marked the end of 17 days of sporting activity during which more than 40 world records and 120 Olympic records were broken.

The biggest stars of the Games were American swimmer Michael Phelps, the first person to win eight gold medals at a single Olympics, and electrifying Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, the winner of three gold medals.

The Games were also a success for New Zealand, which had its most successful Olympics since 1992, winning nine medals. In addition to the Evers-Swindells, shot putter Valerie Vili and boardsailor Tom Ashley won gold, cyclist Hayden Roulston won silver in the 4000m individual pursuit and was part of the bronze medal-winning team pursuit four. Bronzes also went to 1500m runner Nick Willis, triathlete Bevan Docherty, single sculler Mahe Drysdale and the men's rowing pair of George Bridgewater and Nathan Twaddle.

New Zealand's Olympic bosses yesterday identified rower Hamish Bond, part of the coxless four, as New Zealand's 1000th Olympian.

The first, Harry Kerr, competed at the 1908 London Olympics, winning a bronze medal in the 3500m track walk.

New Zealand Olympic secretary-general Barry Maister said New Zealand's 1000th Olympian had been chosen by numbering athletes alphabetically by the Games they competed in and assessing each against the committee's criteria.

This morning's ceremony was to end with an eight-minute segment featuring footballer David Beckham and guitarist Jimmy Page, showcasing London, venue for the 2012 Games.

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