Champion kayaker named Canada's flag-bearer

by julianw | July 23, 2008 at 03:46 pm | 156 views | 1 comment

World Champs Canoe Kayak Duisburg 2007 Men K4 500 SF2

Adam van Koeverden -- former Olympic kayaking gold medalist and world-record holder in the k-1500 m -- has been named Canada's official flag-bearer for the Beijing Olympics. I remember watching his gold medal win during the 2004 Athens Olympics on a tiny TV on Hornby Island, of all places.

Adam van Koeverden, the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 500-metre kayak singles, was chosen Wednesday as Canada's flag-bearer for the Beijing Olympics.

The Oakville, Ont., native will lead the 331-member Canadian team — also officially unveiled Wednesday — into Beijing's National Stadium for the opening ceremony on Aug. 8.

"I don't like to say that I'm leading," a relaxed van Koeverden told reporters at a media gathering inside a downtown Toronto hotel. "I just get to be the first guy to walk in, and then there's 331 incredible athletes behind me."

He's by no means a superstitious guy, so star Canadian kayaker Adam van Koeverden doesn't believe in the so-called "flag-bearer jinx" that supposedly casts a dark cloud over the athlete chosen to lead his country into the Olympic Games.

"Alex Baumann carried the flag in 1984 and he won two golds, so I can deal with that jinx," van Koeverden said Wednesday during a news conference to announce he would be Canada's flag-bearer for the Beijing Olympics.