Who will carry the flag?

Countries are starting to announce who their flag bearer will be during the opening ceremony on Friday, Aug 5. The USA has not made that announcement yet but will do so usually a few days prior to the ceremony.

There are many names that have been thrown around as possible picks for the flag bearer. It's very often not someone who people have heard of. Everyone remember fencer Mariel Zargunis who carried the US flag in the London opening ceremony? Yeah, I didn't think so. But just because they are not well known doesn't mean they aren't accomplished. It's the other athletes that vote on the flag bearer and that means it's someone that is well respected and admired by fellow Olympians.

Here are some people who I think could be selected:

Michael Phelps (swimming)
The reasons are obvious and numerous. Rio actually will be his last Olympics (I think) and he's certainly earned the honor. However, since swimming events are in the first half of the Olympics, most swimmers don't walk in the opening ceremony. Not sure if he actually ever has due to the schedule. But he's swimming less events this time around, so maybe his schedule is a little more lenient.

Kristin Armstrong (cycling)
This is her fourth Olympics and she's looking to win her third straight gold. She's the type of person that will often get selected for this honor.

Kim Rhode (shooting)
She's the first U.S. Olympian to win five gold medals in five consecutive Olympics. Think about that for a second. This, 2016, is her sixth Olympics and she's been winning golds since 1996 in Atlanta! Again, she's the type of person that often gets picked for this.

Kerri Walsh Jennings (beach volleyball)
This is Olympics No. 5 for her and she already has three golds. Beach volleyball is also big in Brazil, so it could a local interest type pick.

Ibtihhaj Muahmmad (fencing)
You've probably never heard of her but you might have seen a picture. She will be the first U.S. Olympian to compete in a hijab. This is her first Olympics and the flag bearer is typically someone who has previously been an Olympian. However, this is an historic moment for a U.S. Olympian and with the comments that have been made in our current political climate, it could be a statement by the U.S. athletes.

Carli Lloyd (soccer)
You should all know who she is. If not, then you watch a very minimal amount of sports. The USA women's soccer team has won gold in the past two Olympics and is the reigning World Cup champions. Lloyd, who is team captain, scored the winning goals in the finals in 2008 and 2012 to go along with her hat trick in the WC finals last summer.

Tony Azevedo (water polo)
He was born in Rio but is obviously now a U.S. citizen. While he's only won one medal previously, this is his fifth Olympics. He could be a sentimental pick as he'd be caring the U.S. flag in an opening ceremony in the country and city he was born in.

Steven Lopez (taekwondo)
His name has been thrown out a as a possibility because of his and his family's influence in the sport. The Lopez family is a fixture in taekwondo with several of them competing at one time or another in the Olympics. He's 37 and competing in his fifth Olympics, also probably his last, after previously winning three medals. I also include him because he's from Sugar Land!

Serena Williams (tennis)
Another name you should know or you really live in a non-sport's cave. She's arguably one of the best athletes ever and I'm not just confining that proclamation to her sport or her gender. She already has four gold medals and could easily add another two in Rio.

Then there's the hundreds of other U.S. Olympians that have poured so many blood, sweat and tears into their sport and their road to the Olympics. Anyone could be selected as the flag bearer and be worthy. We shall find out soon!