Rio Olympics 2016: Michael Phelps will carry U.S. flag during opening ceremony
The world's most decorated Olympian receives the honor for the first time
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1 min read
Michael Phelps has accomplished just about everything an Olympian can accomplish, but one honor has thus far eluded him -- Phelps has never before carried the U.S. flag during an Olympic opening ceremony.
That will change on Friday, when Phelps will be the American flag bearer during the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony.
According to the AP, Phelps was selected in a vote by all members of the U.S. Olympic team. He becomes only the second swimmer to lead the American delegation into the Olympics -- the first was Gary Hall in 1976.
"I'm honored to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S., and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for," said Phelps, who is participating in his fifth and final Olympics.
Phelps -- the all-time Olympic leader with 22 medals and 18 golds -- has never even participated in an opening ceremony, which involves hours of standing and walking. In previous games he and his team have decided it would be best for him to rest during the proceedings, since he was usually participating in the 400m individual medley the day after the ceremony.
But this year the 400m IM is not on Phelps' program, so he has an extra day of rest before his first race on Sunday.
"I want to walk in the opening ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud," he said. " ... This time around, it's about so much more than medals."
