The parade of nations is one of the most anticipated events in the opening ceremony of an Olympic event. As different nations join the ceremony, it is customary for nations to appoint flag bearers for each country.

Many famous athletes and veterans lead the team out for the Olympic events as they are the key personnel leading the team from the front. Notably, Team USA’s flag bearers for Tokyo Olympics 2020 are Sue Bird and Eddie Alvarez.

While these two athletes are the flag bearers, Michael Phelps led the 2016 Rio Olympics. Likewise, he congratulated the athletes ahead of the ceremony.

Michael Phelps is arguably the greatest Olympian of all time and, to be acknowledged by him would mean a lot to these athletes.

Michael Phelps congratulates team USA flag bearers

Despite retiring from swimming, Phelps’ love for the sport remains to date. The former Olympic medallist applauded team USA’s decision in selecting both these athletes as their flag bearers.

Moreover, the Olympic Committee decided to have two flag bearers instead of one. The organization changed its rules in March 2020 to promote gender equality in sports.

The two flag bearers are legends in their respective sport. The veteran women’s basketball player, Sue Bird, appears in her fifth Olympic games. The four-time Olympic gold medallist is once again favorites with her teammates to win the event once again.

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While Sue is a veteran, fans have uniquely known Eddy Alvarez for competing both in the Winter Olympics and now the Summer Olympics. For the first time, baseball is a sport that will make its debut in Tokyo.

Significantly, Alvarez won the silver medal for speed skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi while he looks to win the baseball competition in Tokyo. An incredible athlete altogether.

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Phelps leaves an everlasting legacy

While the swimming career of Phelps has ended, he stayed with the sport and joined the NBC commentary to call swimming events. Team USA has had influential personalities as their flag bearers in recent years.

Before Phelps became the flag bearer for Team USA in Rio, Mariel Zagunis raised the flag in London Olympics 2012. Likewise, distance runner Lopez Lomong carried the flag in Beijing in 2008 while Dawn Staley led the team in 2004 Athens. In an interesting snippet, she is the coach of the women’s basketball team right now.

The unique aura of all these athletes is immense. The games have resumed after a five-year absence. Although the pandemic continues to go on, the government took strict precautions to stop the spread of the virus by holding the events behind closed doors.

The Tokyo Olympics has begun with a bang with the conclusion of the opening ceremony. The much-awaited swimming events start tomorrow and fans can look forward to exciting sporting events for the next two weeks.

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