The 2019 European Games in Minsk opens tonight (Friday) and British Judo’s Rio Olympic bronze medallist, Sally Conway, has been selected to be Team GB Flag Bearer at the Opening Ceremony.

Sally was selected from the 100 strong Team GB squad and will be only the second British Judo athlete that has had the honour of being Team GB flag bearer, following Kate Howey MBE at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

The Minsk European Games doubles as the European Judo Championships and Scotland’s Conway enters the Games in fine form and is looking to improve upon her 2018 European Championship silver medal.

Sally could not hide her pride at being names Team GB’s flag bearer at her second European Games. ‘It is a massive honour to be asked to carry the flag and lead out the Team GB squad at the 2nd European Games in Minsk. I feel so privileged to be only the 2nd judo athlete to have been bestowed with this honour.’

‘It is always an honour to compete for Team GB at a major Championships. Training has been going really well and I am really excited to get out there and compete to the best of my ability’.

There was no doubt in Chef de Mission Paul Ford’s mind about Conway’s selection as he added: “We are lucky to have an incredibly talented group of athletes competing at Minsk 2019 but the decision to select Sally was unanimous. She has always lived the Team GB values, performed when it matters the most and approaches everything she does with great commitment and pride.”  

Sally is due to compete in Minsk on Sunday in the -70kg category starting at 8:30am GMT with Final Block due to commence at 3pm GMT. British Judo interest in the Games runs from Saturday to Monday starting at 8:30am GMT and Final Block starting at 3pm GMT.  You can follow the progress of Sally and the rest of the British Judo team on BT Sport the full broadcast schedule can be viewed here, and the British Judo social media accounts.