THERE will be no prouder man than Darren Campbell when the Commonwealth Games are opened by the Queen tonight.

He has bounced back from the depths of almost giving up on athletics and will carry the flag for England, knowing great things are expected from him before the Games are out. And, with a party of family and friends in the City of Manchester Stadium, he will be able to reflect on a career which is on an upward surge.

Marshfield-based Mancunian Campbell lines up in the 200 metres and sprint relay. He said: "There's a great buzz about the city and it's amazing that so many people are taking part.

"And I'm just unbelievably proud to get this chance to lead out the team. For me to be chosen came as a giant shock."

The 28-year-old was ready to quit the track for lower league football - he once played for Cwmbran Town - when he failed to challenge Linford Christie for British sprint supremacy in the mid-1990s.

But, with Christie now his coach, Campbell could soon be challenging John Regis' British record over 200m, which currently stands at 19.87 seconds.

Wind and rain have struck Manchester this week, and although the stadium track is fast, Campbell realises the climate may not be conducive to record-breaking.

"One of the problems with being a sprinter is that we want warm weather and I'm not sure if that's coming," added Campbell.

Welsh heroine Tanni Grey-Thompson has the honour of bearing her country's flag this evening before the Queen but defending 400m champion Iwan Thomas has been forced to give up on his dream of successfully defending his title.

The 28-year-old, who has been ravaged by injury since winning the Games, European and World Cup crowns in 1998, has pulled out of the individual event but is still in the 4x400m relay.