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Which athletes have had the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony?

Karla Klesse

Well, as far as I know, there have been several athletes who have had the honor of carrying the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony. Some of them are recognizable and well-known legends in their sports, while others are lesser-known athletes who have had a profound impact on the Olympic movement.

One of the most memorable moments in this regard was during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, when Brazilian marathoner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima carried the Olympic flag into the stadium. This was especially significant because de Lima had his own chance at Olympic glory taken away from him during the 2004 Athens Games, when he was attacked by a spectator during the marathon race. Despite being tackled and losing momentum, he was able to finish the race and still earn a bronze medal. Many felt that de Lima's selection as flag-bearer in Rio was a long-overdue recognition of his courage and sportsmanship.

Other notable flag-bearers over the years include basketball superstar Michael Jordan, who carried the flag during the 1992 Barcelona Games, and legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, who did the honors in 1996 in his hometown of Atlanta. Soccer legend Pelé also had a turn carrying the Olympic flag during the 2016 ceremony, as did tennis great Li Na during the 2012 Games in London.

But it's not just famous athletes who get to carry the flag. Sometimes, the honor goes to lesser-known athletes who have made an impact outside of their respective sports. For example, at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, the flag was carried by Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo, who had earned a remarkable 10 Olympic medals throughout her career. Similarly, the flag-bearer for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games was South Korean bobsledder Won Yun-jong, who had become a symbol of national pride after earning the country's first medal in the sport just a few years earlier.

Overall, carrying the Olympic flag during the opening ceremony is a great honor and a symbol of excellence and achievement. Whether the bearer is a household name or a relatively unknown athlete, they represent the best of their country and the Olympic spirit as a whole.