Kiwi Paralympic swimmer Sophie Pascoe was all smiles as she made her way to the Carrara Stadium, moments before leading out the New Zealand Commonwealth Games team in the Gold Coast tonight.
Pascoe, 25, said she was proud to be given the honour of holding the New Zealand flag.
"I'm just so excited, it's an incredible feeling to obviously see everybody here dressed up and to be leading out our country and these guys behind me are super excited to kick off a great Games," said Pascoe.
The New Zealand swimmer said it was difficult to keep the secret from her parents who found out she was leading the side out yesterday with the rest of the Kiwi contingent of athletes.
"It was a little tough but really wanted it to be a nice surprise for them, for them to be able to find out at the same time as the rest of the New Zealand team and also I knew they weren't going to the opening ceremony."
She also scored them some tickets to the opening ceremony event.
"So it's nice to be able to have them here tonight to be able to watch all of us walk in.
"We were able to get them tickets which was also part of the surprise as well.
"There was just tears everywhere at that stage but they are just super proud parents like I am a proud daughter to them."
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