Yao would love to be a flag bearer
July 27th, 2008by 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.
Personally, I think it will be even more interesting who is selected to light the torch at the Opening Ceremonies, which to me is a bigger honor because that footage is replayed over and over for decades. Traditionally the host country makes sure to have some older historic athlete in the country participate by letting them run a lap around the track, then they hand it off to a physically fit — yet well known — athlete to run up the steps…which is easier said than done.
With Yao continuing to rehab his foot, I’m wondering if he still has a good chance or they will want him to be cautious by avoiding the pounding on his foot like that as he runs up the steps. I asked him back in April if he had any idea if he was a candidate, and he said he had no clue, and information like that is kept very confidential such that he doesn’t know.
And depending on 110 meter hurdler 2004 gold medalist Liu Xiang‘s schedule, they may not want him to expend all that energy if he has to run in some heats within a few days of the ceremonies. I guess we’ll be finding out soon enough in about 12 days.