Yesterday, in an article pondering Canada’s flagbearer at the Rio Olympics, we instinctively put gold medal-winning gymnast Rosie MacLennan on the cover.
We couldn’t have know it at the time, but Rosie will indeed do the honour when the opening ceremonies kick off on August 5th.
The announcement was made at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in attendance.
“To lead my country into the opening ceremony makes me feel so proud to be Canadian,” she said in a statement. “Joining the ranks of all the incredible athletes who have come before me is definitely a highlight of my career so far and one that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
MacLennan will head to Brazil looking to defend the title she earned in London four years ago – Canada’s only gold medal at the Games. Her most recent accomplishment was a fourth-place finish at last November’s world championship.
More than 300 Canadian athletes will follow MacLennan’s path as she leads Team Canada into and around the 78,000-capacity Maracana stadium.
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