BLACK ribbons will be worn by all 50 members of Jersey’s Commonwealth Games team during tomorrow’s opening ceremony.

At a special meeting last night the team asked if there was something they could do as a mark of respect for former cycling team manager Tony Richomme, who died suddenly last month of a stroke.

After it was announced that cyclist Sam Firby would be the Island’s flag carrier for the ceremony, he revealed that he and new cycling team manager Toby Aubert would be wearing black armbands as they walked into the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The rest of the team, who were at the meeting in the athletes’ village on the edge of the city, decided that they also wanted to do something as a mark of respect for Mr Richomme.

It was decided that they would wear small black ribbons on their red blazers to ensure Tony was ‘with them in Australia’.

Team manager Paul Huddlestone contacted Tony’s wife Elaine and explained the team’s wishes.

‘We wanted to speak to Elaine first and she was very touched that we wished to do this,’ said Mr Huddlestone.

‘The team just felt that it was important that we did something for Tony and his family – to show them that we wish he was here with us.

We have spoken with the organisers of the ceremony and explained what we intend to do and they have been very accommodating.’ Mr Firby said earlier today: ‘It’s obviously a great honour to be leading the team out tomorrow night, but it is going to be very emotional for me and Toby.

‘This is our tribute to Tony and his family – to show them that he is gone but definitely not forgotten.

We know that he is here with us and he is in our thoughts and hearts.’ Mr Richomme died in February of a stroke, just weeks before setting off for the Commonwealth Games.

The 45-year-old was a former paratrooper and amateur cycling competitor, who had represented the Island many times.

Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey president Martin Hebden added: ‘We asked all of the team managers to have meetings with their own teams and them nominate someone to be the flag bearer.

Although his wasn’t the only one, Sam’s name came up a few times and we felt that it was an excellent choice.

Sam is a super athlete, he’s been to the Commonwealth Games before and he has suffered greatly with Tony’s passing – this will be a great and emotional honour for him, I’m sure.’