Kookaburras’ retiring hockey captain and multi-medallist champ, Mark Knowles will be waving the flag at the 2018 Gold Coast Opening Ceremony, beating out the hot favourite Sally Pearson.
With a gold and bronze Olympic medal, Mark is also a two-time World Cup champ, and a four-time Champions Trophy winner so he’s a pretty solid choice for the job. This will also be Mark’s fourth Commonwealth Games.
Australian Commonwealth Games Chef de Mission Steve Moneghetti said, “[Mark] encapsulates what Australians love about their sport stars.”
Mark is obviously extremely chuffed with the news, especially since he plans to retire after these Commonwealth Games making the thirteen-day games even more “special” than they already are.
“This is amazing… I grew up playing a sport I absolutely love on the grass fields of Rockhampton, and I stand here now in front of this group of absolute stars,” Mark said.
Mark had initially considered hanging up his hockey boots after the Rio Olympics in 2016 but decided he’d run one more campaign.
Naturally, people are happy with the announcement and have taken to Twitter to share the love.
Teammate Tyler Lovell posted the below.
No one more deserving than @knowlesy09 in the @commgamesaus team to carry the flag at the opening ceremony.
Well done, you are a true legend of Australian sport. pic.twitter.com/p1Sz7vYz45— Tyler Lovell (@TylerJLovell) April 2, 2018
While the Kookaburras official Twitter sent out a similar tweet.
Fair to say the @Hockeyroos & @Kookaburras are prettt chuffed for @knowlesy09 tonight!! #PrideOfTheKookas #TeamAus pic.twitter.com/h0uExATHT5
— Kookaburras (@Kookaburras) April 2, 2018
Although this isn’t the cap’s first time holding the flag. Mark got to do it at the 2014 closing ceremony at the Glasgow Games.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games will run from the 4th to 5th of April.
