Could Hughes be the one to bear the flag?
If Clara Hughes is to be Canada’s flagbearer in the opening ceremonies, she won’t have to go far for the announcement Friday.
The Canadian Olympic Committee said Monday that they will be making the official announcement of the team and the flagbearer for the 2010 Vancouver Games at a news conference at city hall in Richmond, B.C.
The Richmond Olympic Oval, site of the long-track speed skating events, is where Hughes and her teammates are expected to make the largest contribution to the host country’s medal haul. Hughes, the only Canadian to win medals at the Summer and Winter Olympics and probably the leading candidate to be flagbearer, has an apartment near the Oval.
She’s certainly not the only worthy candidate for an honour that the COC looks to bestow on athletes they feel have a passion for sport excellence, integrity and have represented Canada with pride every time they compete.
They put a premium on selecting athletes with a strong shot at being on the podium and Canada certainly has no shortage in that regard as it attempts to Own The Podium at the 2010 Games. Community involvement is also seen as a big asset.
Here is a list of candidates who have what it takes.
Possible flag-bearers
Jasey Jay Anderson, Snowboarding
The sport’s grand old man at 34, this will be his last shot at the Olympic podium and he has been smoking hot with two World Cup wins and a bronze this season. He’s also played a key leadership role on the squad.
Jenn Heil, Freestyle moguls
A natural candidate as the defending Olympic moguls champ, a winner of four overall World Cup titles and four World Cup events this season. She’s a spokesperson for Plan Canada’s program Because I’m a Girl. But her event goes the day after opening ceremonies, so that likely will rule her out.
Cindy Klassen, speedskating
She won a record five medals for Canada at the 2006 Turin Games and has six Olympic medals in total. She’s made a gritty comeback from double knee surgery to make the team. Her humility works for her, but also against in her in that she might not want the high-profile role.
Chandra Crawford, Cross-country skiing
Delighted with a surprise win in the sprint at Turin. Plagued by injuries in the leadup to Vancouver, she has also contributed a tremendous amount for a young athlete with the startup of Fast and Female to motivate young skiers.
Mellisa Hollingsworth, skeleton racer
She’d be a great choice, coming off her second World Cup overall title with medals in seven of eight races. She’s also got an Olympic bronze. She’s well-spoken and is a big champion of the humanitarian organization Right To Play.
Brian McKeever, cross-country skiing
Legally blind, he will be the first athlete to compete in both the Winter Games and Paralympics. An incredible feat, but more likely to get him the big gig at the Paralympics than the Olympics.
Pierre Lueders, bobsled
He has won it all in his sport, including Olympic gold and silver medals. His performances certainly make him a strong candidate, but his gruff personality could work against him.
Tania Vicent, short track
He has won it all in his sport, including Olympic gold and silver medals. His performances certainly make him a strong candidate, but his gruff personality could work against him.
Clara Hughes, speed skating
She’s got two Olympic bronze medals in cycling and gold, silver and bronze from speed skating. You add in all the charity work she’s done – including donating $10,000 to Right To Play in Turin – and it makes her an ideal choice.
Hayley Wickenheiser, hockey
Considered the best women’s player in the game, Wickenheiser is a tremendous role model involved with numerous causes and would be a great choice, but the fact that teammate Danielle Goyette carried the flag at the last Games will work against her.
