Vote for Canada’s flag bearer

Sportsnet Staff September 14, 2009, 8:13 AM

SPORTSNET.CA

Who should carry Canada’s flag at the Beijing Olympics?

There is one month left before the Aug. 8 start of the Olympics and the Canadian Olympic Committee will soon announce its flag-bearer for the opening ceremony.

It used to be a simple process, but in recent years some athletes have been reluctant to take on the honour because of the distraction from their competition. This was most famously demonstrated by moguls skier Jean-Luc Brassard at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano when he said being flag-bearer contributed to his failing to win a medal.

There are also political consideration given to who should carry the flag – often alternating between francophone and anglophone athletes. Montreal judoka Nicolas Gill was Canada’s flag-bearer at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Also, having been previously honoured as a flag-bearer – such as kayaker Adam van Koeverden and triathlete Simon Whitfield at Olympic closing ceremonies – or other international events, as shooter Susan Nattrass was at a Pan-Am Games, can unofficially disqualify an athlete.

All that said, Sportsnet.ca has compiled a list of 10 athletes we think are deserving for their achievements and/or their history with Canada’s Olympic program.

Vote for who you think should be the first Canadian into the Beijing’s National Stadium.

The Olympians:

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Who should carry’s Canada’s flag at the Beijing Olympics?

		Adam van Koeverden, kayak Easily Canada’s best medal threat in Beijing and could win two gold medals. He won gold and bronze in Athens and is the reigning world champion in the K1 500 metres. Was flag-bearer at closing ceremony in Athens and tradition usually dictates that an athlete not perform the honour twice.
		Susan Nattrass, shooting Pioneered the participation of women in shooting when she was the lone female participant at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. This is her sixth Olympics. Has never won an Olympic medal in what is considered a fringe sport.
		Kevin Sullivan, track Beijing will be his third Olympics. His fifth-place showing in the ultra-competitive 1500 metres in 2000 Games in Sydney considered among Canada’s best finishes in track, but has never won an Olympic or world championship medal.
		Alex Despatie, diving Won a silver medal in Athens and won two gold at 2005 world championships. Became youngest to win a medal at Commonwealth Games when he won gold as a 13-year-old in 1998. Recent injuries have his Beijing participation in some doubt.
		Karen Cockburn, gymnastics Will be competing in her third Olympics and has won medals – bronze in Sydney, silver in Athens – in trampoline. She is a contender for gold in Beijing.
		Simon Whitfield, triathlon He won the first gold medal when sport debuted at Sydney Olympics in 2000 and won gold in the event at the 2002 Commonwealth Games. Like van Koeverden has been a flag-bearer at a closing ceremony, in Sydney.
		Ian Millar, equestrian Beijing will be Millar’s ninth Olympics, which will tie him with Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschi for the most appearances in history. He has never won an Olympic medal.
		Kyle Shewfelt, gymnastics Won first gold medal by a Canadian male when he took top spot in the floor routine in Athens in 2004. Also, a judging error robbed him of a bronze medal in the vault in those same Olympics. Has completed a comeback from two broken legs suffered in 2007.
		Daniel Nestor, tennis The new Wimbledon doubles champion won gold in doubles at Sydney Olympics in 2000 and also competed in Athens, where he reached the second round. Has been a long-time member of Canada’s national team in Davis Cup competitions.
		Marie-Helene Premont, cycling Won a silver medal in Athens in the mountain bike and followed that up with gold in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Has also won four World Cup races.