Whitten Canada's closing ceremony flag bearer
Edmontonian cyclist won four medals in Delhi
After competing in six events in eight days, cyclist Tara Whitten thought she was finished at the Commonwealth Games.
But Whitten, who won four medals including one gold, has one more duty after being chosen as Canada's flag-bearer for Thursday night's closing ceremony.
"It such an honour and I am so proud to have been chosen flag-bearer," said the 30-year-old from Edmonton. "I've had the opportunity to see so many incredible performances. I've watched my teammates succeed.
"To have been chosen to represent them is a huge thrill and a great way to end the Games for me."
Whitten won her gold in Wednesday's individual time trial. She also won three bronze medals in track cycling.
"Yesterday was a gruelling race," Whitten told a news conference. "It was my sixth event. I knew I had enough left for one more really good effort and I left it all on the road."
Whitten, a former member of Canada's cross-country ski team, received congratulations from Chandra Crawford, who won gold in the women's 1.1-kilometre sprint at the 2006 Turin Games.
"Really stoked for old nordic buddy Tara Whitten," Crawford said on Twitter. "Congrats on an awesome Commonwealth Games on the road and track."
Prior to the Games, Whitten had raced at the world cycling championships in Melbourne, Australia. After the 130-kilometre race there she climbed on a plane and flew 12 hours to New Delhi.
Canadian chef de mission Martha Deacon said Whitten showed determination and skill during the Games.
"We're very excited to have Tara … her work, her performance, her representation of cycling," said Deacon.
Diver Alexandre Despatie of Laval, Que., won three gold medals at the Games, giving him a Canadian-record nine Commonwealth golds.
Teammate Jennifer Abel of Laval had two gold and a silver medal. But since the diving team left New Delhi before the closing ceremonies, neither athlete was in the mix for the flag-bearer's role.
Field hockey team captain Ken Pereira carried the flag during the opening ceremonies.