UK: OLYMPICS: Women's basketball captain Lauren Jackson says she is honoured to carry the Australian flag in Olympic opening ceremony

Record ID: 556448

  • Title: UK: OLYMPICS: Women's basketball captain Lauren Jackson says she is honoured to carry the Australian flag in Olympic opening ceremony
  • Date: 27th July 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, UK (JULY 27, 2012) (REUTERS) WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LAUREN JACKSON, AUSTRALIA BASKETBALL CAPTAIN AND FLAG BEARER, SAYING: "Yeah, I just can't believe everyone, the support that I've had. Not for one minute did I expect this to happen and for people to support me the way that they have and like I said I just feel very proud and humbled and ho
  • Embargoed: 11th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEZG9FSI7203RRJJSUNE2FDF82
  • Story Text: Women's basketball captain Lauren Jackson will have the honour of carrying the Australian flag in Friday's (July 27) Olympic opening ceremony.
    Jackson, 31, led the Opals to silver in Beijing four years ago and is competing in her fourth Games. She will be the first Australian woman in 20 years to lead out her country at a Summer Olympics.

    "I just can't believe everyone, the support that I've had. Not for one minute did I expect this to happen and for people to support me the way that they have," Jackson told a news conference at the Main Press Centre.

    "I just feel very proud and humbled and honoured to just have this role and I hope I do you guys proud," she added.
    Chef de Mission Nick Green, announcing his decision, said Jackson was an "unassuming athlete with wonderful leadership qualities on and off the court".
    The appointment follows a controversy in the run-up to the Games over travel arrangements for the basketball teams.
    The women have been runners-up to the United States at the past three Games but despite their success flew to London economy class while the men, who have never medalled, went business.
    The arrangements were slammed by Australian media and politicians and the country's basketball governing body said it would review its policy.
    Gender was also an issue in the selection, with five time Olympian beach volleyballer Natalie Cook saying jokingly last week that she would stage a sit-down protest if another man was selected.
    The last Australian woman to lead out the team was diver Jenny Donnet in Barcelona in 1992.
    Jackson said she is looking forward to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics, the three-hour showcase created by Oscar-winning "Slumdog Millionaire" director Danny Boyle.

    "I heard all the fireworks - at one o'clock in the morning. Last night, we saw the lights in the stadium and it was amazing and I think I've heard some Beatles playing, a bit of Paul McCartney so I know my dad will be very happy about that," she laughed.

    "I think it is just going to be an amazing night. I think that the village and the Olympic Park is amazing and I could not have imagined it being any better really so I am really excited."
    Australia's tennis medal hopeful Sam Stosur will play Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the first round.
    The U.S. Open champion said winning an Olympic gold medal would match the grand slam success.

    "Obviously we are fortunate to have four grand slams every year and we always treat those very seriously. They are the pinnacle of our sport but I think if you asked any other players here we also think this is a huge event and everyone wants to try and win. I have to say, once you are here I would think it is pretty even," the world number five said.
    Former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt said he is fully focused on the tournament at his favourite venue the All England Club and is not ready to say goodbye to the sport that means so much to him.

    "I think I am the ultimate professional in terms of being competitor, in terms of energy, I am on the practice court, I am still focus on what I have to do. Once you start thinking of or getting clouded by other thoughts then you are not going to perform at your best so it is as simple as that," Hewitt said.

    "I've gone out there and done everything under my power to get as fit as possible since the operation in February and for me I am just grateful that I am being able to play here."
    The 31-year-old faces Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovksy in the opening round.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Video restrictions: parts of this video may require additional clearances. Please see ‘Business Notes’ for more information.
Register