Updated ,first published
Nina Kennedy had her doubts.
After undergoing major surgery to repair a hamstring that tore three times in six weeks, the Olympic and Commonwealth Games pole vault champion questioned whether she could get back to her best, or better.
Now, not only will Kennedy be defending her gold medal from Birmingham in 2022, she will also lead the Australian team out at the Glasgow opening ceremony, after chef de mission Petria Thomas named Kennedy the nation’s flag bearer alongside swimmer Tim Hodge, who will be Australia’s inaugural baton bearer.
“There’s always those doubts as athletes,” Kennedy said of her injury.
“We try and get the best out of ourselves, so my mind always goes to, what if I don’t get to defend my Commonwealth title? What if I don’t make it back to the Olympics? What if this hamstring goes again and my career’s over and I haven’t really soaked up the last few years like I should have?
“Sport can be so fleeting, so I’ve really learnt to enjoy every step and this is just such a special honour, and I’m really going to try and soak this in and make some good memories.”
Competing at their third Commonwealth Games, Kennedy and Hodge were announced as the flag and baton bearers by Thomas at the Bridge Gardens in Glasgow, just up from the city’s River Clyde, on Wednesday afternoon (local time).
The announcement comes two weeks after Kennedy jumped a personal best of 4.95m in the Monaco Diamond League meet in Monte Carlo to claim gold and obliterate her competition.
It was a new Australian record for Kennedy, who said she found out she would be Games flag bearer about the same time.
“I think I found out, and then I went and did my big jump, so it was almost perfect timing,” Kennedy said.
“I had the whole of last year off, obviously, and it’s so nice to be back competing, but back better than ever is such a nice feeling.”
Hodge will also lead the Australian team out at a Games where he is defending his gold medal in the men’s 100m backstroke S9.
The 25-year-old, who had his right leg amputated when he was four years old after being born without a fibula, said he wished his younger self knew how much he would go on to achieve.
“I remember sitting in bed after my operation and I said to my parents, ‘I don’t think I’ll be good at anything now’ because I was in a wheelchair at the time, I was still recuperating from surgery,” Hodge said.
“My parents said, ‘don’t say that, we will find you something that you’re good at, something that you enjoy’.
“And, just to be able to stand here and hold this baton today, to have the history in sport that I’ve had, is just a testament to the fact that you can go from not knowing what the future can hold and hoping that you have something that you’re good at, to potentially standing where I’m standing today.”
Thomas said Kennedy and Hodge were given the honour not just because of their results, but because of their leadership in the Australian team.
“Each of them has longevity, character and humility, and the support of the whole Australian sporting community behind them,” Thomas said.
“Nina gives just as much off the track as she does on, and we know she is a proven performer … Tim is at his third Commonwealth Games, with two Paralympic gold medals and a world record to his name.
“He made his Australian debut in this very city over a decade ago, and everywhere he goes he brings a calm yet inspiring approach that lifts those around him.
“I know they’ll lead our team out with pride and grace.”
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Billie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.
