Flag bearer for Australia at the london olympic games opening ceremony?

Answer 1

The Flag Bearer for the Australian Olympic Team in London this year will be selected by the Chef de Mission of the Australian Team, Mr Nicholas Green OAM, generally in conjunction with senior members of the Australian Olympic Committee.

The prestigious position of the Flag Bearer is often also referred to as the Olympic Team Captain and is usually given to one of the most experienced athletes in the team who has been a role model for the spirit and values of the Olympic movement and also for the sport that they represent. A degree of previous Olympic success is not a prerequisite, but is preferable.

The announcement of the Olympic Flag Bearer will be made at the Australian Olympic Team Reception on Thursday evening (British Time) July 26th in London.

Possible candidates for 2012 will include Natalie Cook OAM (Beach Volleyball), Michael Diamond OAM (Shooting), Cadel Evans (Cycling), Drew Ginn OAM (Rowing), Leisel Jones OAM (Swimming), Russell Mark OAM (Shooting), Anna Meares OAM (Cycling) and Sally Pearson (Athletics).

Russell Mark would probably be favourite as London will be a record equalling sixth Olympic Games as a competitor, he is an Olympic Gold and Silver Medallist and multiple World Champion. He was a member of the Australian Olympic Committee's Athlete's Commission for eight years and at the 2004 Olympics in Athens he worked for the AOC as an Athlete Liaison Officer. Since 2005 he has been an Executive Board Member of Victorian Olympic Committee and is also an Executive Board Member of Australian International Shooting Limited. In 2007 he became the only Australian to be inducted into the International Shooting Sports Federation Hall of Fame being recognised as the greatest ever competitor in his event of all time.

However a recent competition conducted by the Australian Olympic Committee calling for public comment favoured Sally Pearson ahead of Steve Hooker (Athletics), Anna Meares and Cadel Evans.