It is time for a female athlete to be bestowed the honour of bearing the Australian flag at the coming Olympic Games?
Of the 410 athletes that make up the 2012 Australian Olympic Team only one will have the honour of carrying their nation’s flag at the opening ceremony this Friday. Of the past 13 Olympic Games, this rare privilege has been granted to just three woman during the 52 year period: Raelene Boyle (Munich, 1976), Denise Boyd (Moscow, 1980) and Jenny Donnett (Barcelona, 1992).
Beach volleyball player and Olympic gold medallist Natalie Cook is leading the campaign to get a female hoisting the Australian flag at this year’s games. Cook has competed in the last four consecutive Games and was led by a male flag bearer at every event. She has said she will “sit in protest” if a female athlete is not chosen this year.
At this stage polls have 42 per cent of punters tipping Cook as the most likely female to bear the flag this Friday night. Also in the running is Cook’s fellow Gold medallist Leisel Jones who is competing in her fourth Games, World Champion hurdler Sally Pearson, and stalwart Australian cyclist Anna Meares. We think after a four year gap it’s about time a woman was given the task, but we want to know what you think.
Let’s hit the polls!
Words by Jacquie Lennon
Photo by Michael Heiman, Getty Images.
