Island athletes seem to have the market cornered on flag-bearing.
Shanice Marcelle of Victoria, who led UBC to five consecutive CIS national women鈥檚 volleyball championships, carried the Maple Leaf at the head of the Canadian team Friday during the opening ceremonies of the 2013 Summer World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
The Games are held every two years. The last Canadian flag-bearer, at the 2011 World University Summer Games in Shenzhen, China, was University of Victoria swimmer Mackenzie Downing.
Also, on the biggest stage of all, triathlete Simon Whitfield of Victoria carried the Canadian flag into the opening of the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
Marcelle, who moves so seamlessly to the net and won this year鈥檚 BLG Award as CIS female athlete of the year across any sport, lists her ultimate goal as the Olympics.
Eighteen Canadian athletes in Kazan are already Olympians, including swimmers Alec Page of Victoria and Stephanie Horner of UVic.
鈥淸Carrying the flag] is really a tremendous honour. It鈥檚 very humbling,鈥� Spectrum Secondary graduate Marcelle said in a statement.
鈥淚鈥檝e been lucky enough to receive my fair share of recognition these past few years, but this might be the greatest honour yet.鈥�
Meanwhile, competition in the Games began Friday with Jaclyn Sawicki of the UVic Vikes, and her Canadian women鈥檚 soccer teammates, on the losing end of a 3-2 score to Mexico.
Other Island athletes in the Games include Stacie Anaka of Victoria in wrestling, Kehla Guimond of Victoria in rugby sevens, Dylan Barnes of Fanny Bay in soccer and Marc Howatson and Devon Parkinson, both of Victoria, in volleyball.
Swimming is well represented with Page, Kelly Aspinall of Nanoose Bay, Tommy Gossland of Nanaimo, Will Brothers of Victoria and UVic鈥檚 Eric Hedlin, Aimeson King and Horner.
sa国际传媒 won eight medals, five silver and three bronze, at the previous University Games in Shenzhen.
