Flagbearers

[AragornElessar]

Yes, we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

For the US, while I like the idea of Ally Raisman in her role of Team Captain (and when she *finally* got that punch front in on her first tumbling pass in EF Floor Exercise, all that was heard in this house was my screech of delight!! ), it wouldn't shock me to see it go to Gabby Douglas. The first African American to win Olympic All Around is pretty hard to ignore.

I will say this though. If a male athlete carries in The Star Spangled Banner, after how the female members of the team have performed, I'll be shocked!!

I also love the idea of Misty and Kerri and there is precedence for it. Marnie McBean and Kathleen Heddle were Canada's Closing Ceremonies flagbearers in Barcelona (I think that's right), so a team of two could indeed do it. I don't envy the USOC to make this decision though, as you guys have so many worthy of the honour.

And Congratulations to Sandra!! After the crap she went through w/the "coaching team" for Romania, she w/out a doubt earned it.

[reckless]

The US flagbearer will be Bryshon Nellum.

He was a semifinalist in the 400 meters and member of the 4x400 relay team. If you don't know his story, he was the top high school sprinter in the nation, but as a college freshman, while walking home from a party off-campus, he was shot three times in the legs by gang members who mistook him for a member of a rival gang. Bryshon was told he would never be able to run again, but he came back and had to have multiple surgeries because remnants of the shotgun blast were pressing on the nerves in his legs.

I think he's a deserving selection. He epitomizes the Olympic spirit, which isn't just about winning medals.

[Loves_Shizuka]

^well said

Quite ironic he is chosen to carry the flag, given that many people (in this thread at least) wanted to Kim Rhode - a shooter - to do so

[SHARPIE]

Great selection by Team US.

No announcement by GB yet but I really think it'll be Jessica Ennis.

[Garden Kitty]

Awww, great choice for flagbearer

[milanessa]

The US flagbearer will be Bryshon Nellum.

He was a semifinalist in the 400 meters and member of the 4x400 relay team. If you don't know his story, he was the top high school sprinter in the nation, but as a college freshman, while walking home from a party off-campus, he was shot three times in the legs by gang members who mistook him for a member of a rival gang. Bryshon was told he would never be able to run again, but he came back and had to have multiple surgeries because remnants of the shotgun blast were pressing on the nerves in his legs.

I think he's a deserving selection. He epitomizes the Olympic spirit, which isn't just about winning medals.

Excellent choice!

[Bournekraatzfan]

This article says Sandra Izbasa will carry the flag for Romania.

http://cor.ro/stire.html?id_stiri=690

Yay for Sandra!

The US flagbearer will be Bryshon Nellum.

He was a semifinalist in the 400 meters and member of the 4x400 relay team. If you don't know his story, he was the top high school sprinter in the nation, but as a college freshman, while walking home from a party off-campus, he was shot three times in the legs by gang members who mistook him for a member of a rival gang. Bryshon was told he would never be able to run again, but he came back and had to have multiple surgeries because remnants of the shotgun blast were pressing on the nerves in his legs.

I think he's a deserving selection. He epitomizes the Olympic spirit, which isn't just about winning medals.

I love this selection. What an inspiring story.

[love_skate2011]

I hope Russia's flagbearer will be tomorrows winner
I wont say the name as it might jinx her Olympic record attempt

[allezfred]

The US flagbearer will be Bryshon Nellum.

He was a semifinalist in the 400 meters and member of the 4x400 relay team. If you don't know his story, he was the top high school sprinter in the nation, but as a college freshman, while walking home from a party off-campus, he was shot three times in the legs by gang members who mistook him for a member of a rival gang. Bryshon was told he would never be able to run again, but he came back and had to have multiple surgeries because remnants of the shotgun blast were pressing on the nerves in his legs.

I think he's a deserving selection. He epitomizes the Olympic spirit, which isn't just about winning medals.

poths called it!

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...5&postcount=49

[algonquin]

Let me venture a few guesses...

Canada: Despatie

That is who I would like to see.

[milanessa]

poths called it!

http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/show...5&postcount=49

We do love our "overcoming adversity" background stories.

[AragornElessar]

Well, I am a bit surprised it's a guy due to the GirlPower shown by Team USA this Olympics, but a very deserving choice for Team USA!!

Sharpie, I also think it'll be Jessica Ennis for Team GB.

[professordeb]

I wonder what is taking Canada so long in naming our flag bearer. I have tender spots for a number of people.

If we use the same type of criteria as the U.S. then Despatie would definitely be one of the "overcoming adversity" considering how he was feeling just 6 weeks ago.

Sinclair could definitely get the call as she hauled the entire team onto her back in the game against the US and almost pulled off the win. She also led in the scoring title for all the women who played soccer in these games with 6. She's helped put Canada's soccer team into the spotlight.

I lurves the idea of having our women's 8 coxswain carry it especially given how many Olympics and teams she has "ordered" to medals.

Hmmm... I think it could be a challenge to make a choice.

[marbri]

When is the closing ceremony?

[Parsley Sage]

When is the closing ceremony?

Sunday.

Deb, I'm pretty sure the Canadian athletes vote on the flag bearer for the closing ceremony.

[A.H.Black]

Well, I am a bit surprised it's a guy due to the GirlPower shown by Team USA this Olympics, but a very deserving choice for Team USA!!

Sharpie, I also think it'll be Jessica Ennis for Team GB.

It was a woman for the Opening Ceremonies so this is cool with me.

When is the closing ceremony?

Sunday evening - London Time 9:00 PM I think.

[4rkidz]

It was a woman for the Opening Ceremonies so this is cool with me.



Sunday evening - London Time 9:00 PM I think.

4pm on Sunday for those in Ontario or eastern time zone..

I cut and pasted below from Canada Yahoo sports...

According to the Canadian Olympic Committee the decision of who is the closing ceremonies flag-bearer is made by Mark Tewksbury, the Olympic team chef de mission, and Sylvie Bernier, the assistant chef de mission.
When triathlete Simon Whitfield was chosen flag-bearer for the opening ceremonies he was first nominated by his sport, then selected by a committee comprised of Tewksbury, Bernier, two athlete representatives and one coach.

I hope it's Sinclair too

[misskarne]

I really hope it's at least one of our sailors. They're the ones who saved us from total embarassment on the medal table.

But it'll probably be Sally Pearson. Yes, she won, yes, she was awesome, but the way some of the press is carrying on, you'd think she was the only one who won anything this time...

[morqet]

Ben Ainslie will carry the flag for GB. Nice for him because the sailors are so often away from the main action & he is now the most successful Olympic sailor ever, but he wouldn't have been my first choice.

[Loves_Shizuka]

Ben Ainslie?!

OK.

*blank*