Raymond reports that several Chinese Web sites are saying that Yao Ming will be the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation during the Opening Ceremonies. However, Yao says he hasn’t received notice yet.

If he does carry the Chinese flag on Friday, it will be the second Olympics in a row where he’s done that, having carried it in 2004 in the Athens Olympic Games.

On Wednesday in Beijing, Yao Ming surprisingly carried the torch in a segment of its journey to the Opening Ceremonies that starts Friday night.

As Raymond reports, Yao Ming took the torch out from the Forbidden City, across the Golden Water Bridge, and into Tiananmen Square. There were so many people surrounding him, like the media and press, he basically had to walk parts of his journey

I’m very surprised Yao ran a leg of the relay with still two days remaining before the Opening Cermonies. I thought for sure he would at least run a lap around the Olympic track on Friday night during the ceremonies before handing it off to a historical Chinese Olympian from the past, whoever that may be. I guess Yao Ming could still run part of the relay Friday night, but its less likely now.

If it doesn’t happen, I don’t know what the Chinese were thinking. He’s too important to be carrying it on Wednesday when the rest of the world isn’t watching yet. I know for sure Yao would have loved to run a segment of the relay in the stadium Friday night. Who knows, maybe this was just a “warm-up” for him so he can get a better feel for the weight of the torch before the really ‘big’ moment on Friday night.

Click here and here for more photos from Yao’s torch run. One thing I noticed that others may not have caught. You can tell this was a big deal to Yao because he is completely shaven — no hair underneath his chin!

To watch the video of Yao carrying the torch, click on the “Read the rest of this entry” link below…

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