The sound of Scottish bagpipes welcomed Team Australia to its Glasgow headquarters, before world and Olympic champion pole vaulter Nina Kennedy was officially announced as Australia’s Commonwealth Games 2026 flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony in Glasgow on 23 July.

The reigning Commonwealth champion becomes just the fourth Australian track and field athlete to carry the nation’s flag at these Games. She will lead a team of 255 athletes into the Opening Ceremony, giving her fellow teammates a glimpse of her flag-waving technique on stage during the announcement.

“I knew this was coming, but it doesn’t make it any less nerve-wracking,” Kennedy said.

“This role could have been given to absolutely anyone,” she continued. “This team is so strong and there are so many deserving athletes that this could have gone to, so I truly feel very honoured, very humbled to be given this role. I just want to say thank you for choosing me.

“I hope that I can represent our team, the Australian athletics team especially, and everyone back home the best I can.

“I’ll be waving this thing with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of smiles. Tomorrow’s going to be really fun. I want to wish everyone an enjoyable and successful Games.”

Kennedy’s Commonwealth journey began at Gold Coast 2018, where she won bronze in the women’s pole vault, her first medal at a senior multisport Games.

Since then, the Australian record holder has added Commonwealth gold, World Championship gold and Olympic gold to her growing collection, and is now targeting the prestigious five-metre mark.

Being chosen to carry the flag, however, is an honour she believes she will appreciate even more with time.

“In the midst of my career, it’s so easy not to appreciate amazing experiences like this,” she said.

“I’m finally getting a little bit more mature and learning to just be grateful and soak everything up while it lasts because sport can be so fleeting.”

Kennedy will lead Australia into the Opening Ceremony alongside Para swimmer Tim Hodge, who has been selected as the nation’s King’s Baton bearer.

The women’s pole vault competition at the Commonwealth Games 2026 takes place on 31 July.