Two-time Commonwealth gold medallist Meaghan Benfeito named Canadian Team Flagbearer in Gold Coast!

Commonwealth and Olympic Medallist in Diving to Lead Canada at Opening Ceremony

OTTAWA, Feb. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) congratulates diver Meaghan Benfeito of Montreal on her selection as Team Canada's Flag Bearer for Canada at the Opening Ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

The two-time Commonwealth gold medallist (2014 - 10m/10m synchro) and three-time Olympic bronze medallist (2012 ? 10m synchro, 2016 ? 10m/10m synchro) was introduced today at an event on the sand at Beach Blast, an indoor beach volleyball venue. There was an Australian summer vibe in the air as Team Canada 2018 members Kylie Masse (swimming), Gavin Smellie (athletics), Michelle Li (badminton) and Carmen Whelan (rhythmic gymnastics) joined other members of the Canadian sport community at the event, which also included Chef de Mission Claire Carver-Dias and Assistant Chef de Mission Benoit Huot.

"It is with great pride and appreciation that I will carry the flag into the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast", said Benfeito. "I can't wait to live that special moment with the entire Canadian delegation. Marching with a group of inspiring athletes, with whom I share dreams and a common passion for sport, is an amazing feeling. It is a great responsibility to lead the team in to the stadium, but also an incredible honour that will forever be one of the top highlights of my career."  

Team Canada will field a team of over 280 athletes in Gold Coast, who will take part in 18 sports and 7 para-sports. A medal haul of 100 plus is expected, exceeding the 82 that were won by Canada at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"I am thrilled that Meaghan has been selected as our Flag Bearer at the Gold Coast Games", said Claire Carver-Dias, Team Canada Chef de Mission. "Canada is the top diving nation in the history of the Commonwealth Games, and it is therefore very fitting that our Flag Bearer represent that sport."

Commonwealth Games Canada also used the occasion to make an important and ground breaking announcement - that DAZN Canada, a leading live-streaming sports service will be the exclusive broadcast partner for Canada at the upcoming 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. This marks the first time the Commonwealth Games broadcast rights will be held exclusively by a live streaming platform.

"The Commonwealth Games has often been a launching pad for so many of Canada's greatest athletes, seen by many as an integral part of achieving success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are really excited to be able to provide fans the platform to cheer on Team Canada this upcoming April," said Alex Rice, Managing Director for Rights and Strategic Development, at DAZN. "We are committed to extending our sports offering in Canada and so proud to be able to put a national spotlight on the country's best athletes."

The new partnership between DAZN and the Commonwealth Games will result in hundreds of hours of live coverage from 26 sports streamed on the DAZN Canada platform, where the likes of Olympic medallists such as Andre De Grasse, Penny Oleksiak, Kylie Masse and Meaghan Benfeito will compete for Commonwealth supremacy.

The 2018 Games, involving 71 participating countries, will take place April 4th to 15^th in Gold Coast, Australia, with 6,600 athletes and team officials taking part. The eleven-day sporting and cultural event will feature 18 sports and 7 para-sports as part of its programme.

ABOUT COMMONWEALTH GAMES CANADA

Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of CGC is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool. CGC builds a better Commonwealth through sport. Visit www.commonwealthgames.ca for information.

Our thanks to Cision for sponsoring this announcement

SOURCE Commonwealth Games Association of Canada