American swimmer Michael Phelps is the flag bearer of Team USA in the opening ceremony of this year’s Summer Olympics that will happen in Rio de Janeiro on August 5-21, 2016.
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Phelps’ long-time coach Bob Bowman echoed the Olympian’s statements, saying: “Clearly from a team perspective we are just focused on getting the best performances that we can, regardless of the circumstances”. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. “I have to do it. I want to do it”.
Phelps conceded he wasn’t at his best for the London Games and didn’t really want to be there.
In another feather in his already full hat, Phelps, who came out of retirement in April 2014, was chosen this week to carry the United States flag at Friday night’s opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium.
“This time around”, Phelps said, “it’s about so much more than medals”.
Phelps has won 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold, and at 31 will be swimming in his fifth Games. Set to compete in three individual events in Rio, Phelps, will look to add to his historic Olympic medal haul in 2016.
“As swimmers, we don’t really think that we have this opportunity”, Phelps said in an interview on NBC’s “Today” show after the announcement. According to the brand’s website, Phelps will “reach inside the pocket of the opening ceremony blazer and flip a switch”.
He was banned for six months after being arrested for drink driving and speeding, missing the 2015 world championships, but subsequently qualified for the 100 and 200 meters butterfly plus the 200m individual medley. Four-time Olympic medalist Gary Hall carried the flag into the 1976 Olympic Games in Montréal. The privilege will fall to Phelps, who is competing in his fifth Olympics, a feat only previously matched by one other USA swimmer. After taking a yearlong break, he rediscovered his love of training and competing, sparking a desire to close his career the right way.
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Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time.
