Yao would love to be a flag bearer
Sunday, July 27th, 2008
by John
This report comes from the official Beijing 2008 Olympics Web site:
(BEIJING, July 27) — Feng Jianzhong, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, told Xinhua that although some ideas are in the works regarding who will be hoisting the Chinese flag upon their shoulders during the opening ceremony of the Games, nothing (or no one) has yet been confirmed.
This information was provided to Xinhua after the opening of the Olympic Village on July 27. At the flag raising ceremony, both Yao Ming and Liu Xiang, two of China’s most notable athletes, were present. Yao and Liu took part in the Athens Olympic Games as Chinese flag bearers during the 2004 opening and closing ceremonies.
When asked whether or not the yet to be chosen representative was among the Chinese athletes at the opening ceremony on Sunday, Feng smiled. “It’s hard to say. The selection committee has a few thoughts now, but there’s still a bit of time left before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. We still have to consider athletes’ competition schedules and training plans before deciding on a representative,” Feng said.
In the past six Summer Games in which China has participated, all flag bearers have been men. This year, according to public opinion polls on the internet, female athletes are also being held in high regard for the coveted position. China’s Zhao Ruirui, member of the women’s volleyball team, Guo Jingjing, the “Diving Princess,” and Zhang Yining, table tennis star, are among the top female candidates for the part.
“Everyone wants to be a flag bearer; of course I want to be one, too!” NBA star Yao exclaimed.
This report comes from the official Beijing 2008 Olympics Web site:
(BEIJING, July 27) — Feng Jianzhong, deputy director of the General Administration of Sport of China, told Xinhua that although some ideas are in the works regarding who will be hoisting the Chinese flag upon their shoulders during the opening ceremony of the Games, nothing (or no one) has yet been confirmed.
This information was provided to Xinhua after the opening of the Olympic Village on July 27. At the flag raising ceremony, both Yao Ming and Liu Xiang, two of China’s most notable athletes, were present. Yao and Liu took part in the Athens Olympic Games as Chinese flag bearers during the 2004 opening and closing ceremonies.
When asked whether or not the yet to be chosen representative was among the Chinese athletes at the opening ceremony on Sunday, Feng smiled. “It’s hard to say. The selection committee has a few thoughts now, but there’s still a bit of time left before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. We still have to consider athletes’ competition schedules and training plans before deciding on a representative,” Feng said.
In the past six Summer Games in which China has participated, all flag bearers have been men. This year, according to public opinion polls on the internet, female athletes are also being held in high regard for the coveted position. China’s Zhao Ruirui, member of the women’s volleyball team, Guo Jingjing, the “Diving Princess,” and Zhang Yining, table tennis star, are among the top female candidates for the part.
“Everyone wants to be a flag bearer; of course I want to be one, too!” NBA star Yao exclaimed.
