Meanwhile, the United States Olympic Committee announced that Michael Phelps is chosen as Team USA’s Flag Bearer for the opening ceremony in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games 2016.
Advertisement
Opening ceremonies are on Friday.
Phelps has been reserved in admitting what he expects of himself here, but as the flag bearer, a five-time Olympian and betting odds suggesting there are at least a few more medals within his grasp, it promises to be a fond so long.
Phelps after winning the 100m butterfly final at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
The pick seemed obvious – Phelps, 31, is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 18 gold medals and 22 overall, and is competing in his fifth Games – but he was clearly overwhelmed Wednesday after being selected in a vote of American athletes representing each sport. He instead paused midway through an answer about what it will be like to compete in Rio with Boomer in the stands and said “I’ll say this just in case of a comeback.my potential last Olympics”, Phelps said. I have a bronze from Beijing, London I fell short but I always played with my heart and all I had when I play for my country.
“I think I can honestly say as well in my career I don’t know if I’ve ever competed in a clean sport”.
Phelps is the first swimmer since Gary Hall in 1976 to carry to flag during opening ceremonies.
“Where I think we are prepared is the mindset of having nine former Olympians, nine people who won that gold medal in London and six have done it a couple of times”.
“It’s a no-brainer”, he said.
So relaxed was Phelps that he, albeit in jest, did not rule out continuing until the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Phelps cried with joy after being nominated by his peers to carry the stars and stripes in his first opening ceremony.
The victor, barely, was Michael Phelps, his record 18 gold medals trumping his past unsafe behavior, his comeback narrative overshadowing any uneasiness that the man leading 555-person American contingent into Rio’s Maracana Stadium was once universally known for a photo in which he was smoking a bong. No country, no team is going to roll over and just give it to us. I wasn’t expecting to see that many players from the top of the tennis world pull out but each one of them had their own reason and I respect that.
For the second time in three Olympics, the schedule has been altered so the swimming events can be televised live in the US during prime time.
Phelps is engaged with former Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson.
“I think I had the biggest smile on my face that you could possibly find”, he said.
“I come from a household of law enforcement and military”, she said. “And also now being able to share the experience of carrying the American flag and leading Team USA out”.
Advertisement
“I’ll be able to turn the page and say I was able to finish my career the way I wanted”, he said.
