Olympics: Faumuina to be NZ flagbearer

By DAVID LEGGAT

Beatrice Faumuina will cap her third trip to the Olympics by leading the New Zealand team into the opening ceremony.

The former world discus champion was early today named as flagbearer.

The announcement was made at New Zealand's official pre-Games function, which immediately followed their team photograph.

Faumuina, who won her world title in 1997, fittingly in Athens, follows fellow team members Barbara Kendall (boardsailor) and Blyth Tait (horseman) - both Olympic gold medallists - who did the job at Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney four years ago.

Other contenders for the role included three-day eventer Andrew Nicholson and world 3000m individual cycling champion Sarah Ulmer.

It is understood Ulmer's position was difficult because of the time involved in getting to and from her training base in France.

The choice was the sole prerogative of New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie, who admitted it had been a difficult one.

"I wanted somebody who would do it with some pride and some dignity and has some leadership."

Currie said there had been other candidates who embodied a mix of the qualities he was looking for.

Faumuina, 29, has won gold at the last two Commonwealth Games.

At the Atlanta Olympics she was eliminated at the initial group stage, and in Sydney was 12th in the final.