Pune, India - Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) today announced that double medalist shooter Matthew Hendry of Nokomis, Sask., and Valérie Lefèbvre of Godmanchester, Que., have been named as Canada's flag bearers for the Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, Saturday night in Pune, India.

“We have two outstanding young Canadian athletes in Matthew and Valérie who represented our country with distinction,” said Canadian chef de mission Shawnee Scatliffe. “This is Canada’s first time taking part in the Youth Games, so we decided to try something unique and will enter the stadium on Saturday night with a pair of flag bearers.”

Hendry became Canada’s first ever double medalist in Youth Games history winning gold in the men’s 10m pistol, followed by silver in the men’s 25m pistol event. He began shooting three years ago in order to compete for Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games where he won gold in 2007. He was also the Canadian junior champion in 2008.

Lefèbvre is an up and coming star in the sport of weightlifting, winning the 2008 Canadian Junior title and finishing third at the senior championship before shattering three records in the women’s 63 kg event at the Commonwealth Youth Games. She set the bench mark in the snatch (82 kg), clean and jerk (105 kg) and combined total of 187 kg. Valérie will share the moment with her entire family on Saturday, as her younger sister Audrey also participated in these Games, while her father Luc and mother Louise held the roles of team coach and chaperone respectively.

Hendry and Lefèbvre will lead the Canadian delegation of 59 athletes and 17 coaches into the Closing Ceremony to conclude a successful Games for Canada. The Red and White finished fifth in the overall medal count with 26, despite not fielding teams in the sports of swimming and tennis.

Shown below are some pictures of Matt Hendry and Christine King at the Youth Commonwealth Games.
Click on a thumbnail to see a full size picture.