BEIJING ? Manny Pacquiao will be in exalted company when he carries the flag for the Philippines in today?s Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Already making history for the Philippines as its first non-Olympian flag-bearer, Pacquiao will join major champions, celebrities and highly-paid professional athletes during the four-hour ceremony at the Beijing Olympic Stadium beginning at 8 p.m. (same time as Manila).
Pacquiao will join such icons as Roger Federer (Switzerland), basketball stars Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany), Manu Ginobili (Argentina) and Sarunas Jasekivicious (Lithuania) at the head of their delegations.
Another likely flag-bearer is Yao Ming of China. But this has not been confirmed although rumors have circulated here that this country?s most popular athlete could be the flag bearer.
The main rule guiding Olympic teams in choosing flag bearers is to pick either the best or most unique player.
The case of Pacquiao is almost different. Though he is the country?s most recognizable athlete and considered a hero by many, he has never been an Olympian.
Pacquiao was chosen after the Philippine Olympic Committee had previously designated Miguel Molina as flag-bearer.
But a case for Pacquiao can be made. He is a world champion and perhaps the greatest boxer and athlete in Philippine history.
