Ross Edgar led Team Scotland into the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as the XIX Commonwealth Games got underway with a spectacular Opening Ceremony in Delhi on Sunday evening.
It was, said Edgar, “a really proud moment, and up there with the best experiences I’ve ever had in sport.”
The cyclist, elected flag bearer by his fellow Scottish athletes, smiled and waved as he led the team around the track, before the athletes were efficiently whisked out of the stadium and back to the athletes’ village to prepare for competition, with the first events kicking off early on Monday morning.
“It was an amazing experience,” said Edgar. “I was a bit nervous while we were waiting, and it was like an oven in the waiting area. My palms got very sweaty, which was a bit of a shame because I’d planned to do some one-handed flag waving, so I could give the crowd a proper wave.
“But as soon as we walked out into the stadium it was great, absolutely amazing. I could see some Scottish supporters, so I tried to give them a good wave.
“It was a really good experience and a really proud moment for me,” Edgar continued. “It’s definitely up there with the best experiences I’ve ever had in sport.
“It was also very well organised,” added Edgar, “and we got back to the village pretty quickly afterwards.”
First time Team Scotland member Mike Adamson, Rugby 7s said after the Opening Ceremony:
“That was pretty spectacular; I’ve never been to anything like that before. The last song was the most memorable moment for me. It was remarkable how many people were performing in the stadium at the one time. Walking into the stadium really got my heart racing. I managed to spot quite a few Scottish flags in the stadium and I just tried to absorb as much of the atmosphere as I could.”
2006 silver medallist Neil Stirton said: “To step out into the stadium again for Scotland was an incredible feeling. Looking up and seeing the saltires in the crowd brought back some warm memories, and the show was truly spectacular. It’s great knowing that the Games are underway, and I can’t wait to get out to the range to start competing.”