Chef de mission Rob Waddell hit the nail on the head when he said Valerie Adams, chosen to carry the flag for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games, was ''arguably New Zealand's greatest sportsperson and a true inspiration, especially to young people. Not only is she an outstanding athlete, she's also an outstanding New Zealander''.
No counter-arguments here.
She should have won the Halberg sportswoman of the year award last year because of the world domination she has demonstrated in her event of shot putting for the past four years.
She was, however, overshadowed by golfing sensation Lydia Ko.
Nothing against Lydia, but how does someone who hasn't even reached world domination in her sport yet compare with a global great in athletics such as Valerie Adams?
Being overlooked at the national sports awards probably made Adams question whether New Zealand valued her efforts and, after the administrative error at the 2012 London Olympics that almost resulted in her being kicked out of her event, holding a grudge would be understandable.
Being given the honour of flag bearer for the New Zealand contingent of athletes in Glasgow is a signal to Adams that her efforts have not gone unnoticed, and that her supremacy in this field event and her role as an ambassador for New Zealand are to be celebrated and acknowledged.
It has been a while since someone from athletics was the flag bearer of the New Zealand team.
Cycling dominated the role for three games in a row in 1994 (Brian Fowler), 1998 (Graeme Miller) and 2002 (Sarah Ulmer).
The last track and field athlete to bear the weight of our nation's flag at the Commonwealth Games was discus thrower Robin Tait in 1982.
A quick assessment of our previous flag bearers suggests it pays to have not only a killer instinct but also a killer smile, and Valerie Adams has bucketloads of both, as did Irene van Dyk (2010), Hamish Carter (2006) and Anthony Mosse (1990). All of them could hold their own in a toothpaste commercial.
I think we underestimate how difficult it is to get that balance right between doing what you have to do to win (which requires determination, resilience, focus and some would say a healthy dose of aggression and tenacity) and displaying a public-friendly face with a grin (which suggests you are pro-social, approachable, warm and welcoming).
Many flag bearers have crumbled under the additional weight of expectation that comes with such responsibility and publicity.
Willis possibly experienced this as New Zealand flag bearer at the London Olympics in 2012.
He seems to have bounced back from what he considered an ''embarrassing'' performance during the final of the 1500m event, and this year became only the second New Zealander to run a mile under 3min 50sec.
No doubt he has stayed well clear of flag-bearing duties this year.
Not that he'd be able to wrench it out of the hands of Valerie Adams, anyway.
She deserves the honour.
She has the calm confidence that comes from dominating her craft for so long, and she has clear goals and aspirations to give her just the right balance of focus and friendliness.
