aussie flag bearer for the closing ceremony is

[magpie in the 80's]

STEPHANIE RICE

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/olympics/art ... ?id=619728

[rod_rooster]

Wow, didn't see that coming

[GWW]

Well deserved.

[Adelaide Hawk]

I don't have a problem with Steph Rice getting the honour, it is well deserved.

I will say, however, that the press is making a big deal out of swimmers being our past three flag bearers. Of course they would be, they have far more chance than anyone else to win multiple gold medals? I mean, what is the chances of Lauren Jackson being flag bearer even if they roll USA for the gold medal?

[rod_rooster]

I don't have a problem with Steph Rice getting the honour, it is well deserved.

I will say, however, that the press is making a big deal out of swimmers being our past three flag bearers. Of course they would be, they have far more chance than anyone else to win multiple gold medals? I mean, what is the chances of Lauren Jackson being flag bearer even if they roll USA for the gold medal?

Yeah, very fair point AH. The argument could be made that the best performed athlete is not necessarily the one with the most medals. Obviously though Stephanie Rice has performed at a level that is at least as good and probably superior to any other Australian though. She deserves it. 3 gold medals, 3 world records. Good enough for me.

[Adelaide Hawk]

3 gold medals, 3 world records. Good enough for me.

Once again though .. what chance do most of our athletes have of winning 3 golds and 3 world records? It's an uneven playing field.

[rod_rooster]

3 gold medals, 3 world records. Good enough for me.

Once again though .. what chance do most of our athletes have of winning 3 golds and 3 world records? It's an uneven playing field.

Yes, i agree with your point. Steve Hooker for example will not get the recognition he deserves. What a super performance his was.

[Adelaide Hawk]

Yeah, and once again I take nothing from Stephie Rice, she was superb, but how can anyone tell me her performances were more stunning than Mitcham off the platform this evening? What he achieved was phenominal, but alas he won only one gold medal.