It’s a tremendous honor to be selected to compete for your country in any Olympics, but to be selected to bear your country’s flag in the opening ceremonies is considered even a greater honor.  For the United States in the Winter Olympics, two Luge athletes have previously carried the U.S. flag: Frank Masely in 1984 and Cameron Myler in 1994.

And now Mark Grimmette is added to that list.  Mark, a five time Olympian and a WFG-adopted athlete, was chosen by the USOC to lead the USA in the parade of nations this Friday in Vancouver.  Mark told the US Olympic Committee that “to be the person leading the US Team into the Opening Ceremony is just such a great honor.” 

For the first time, the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies will be held indoors with the athletes taking reserved seats after they march in.  The country’s appointed flag bearer will remain on the field for the duration of the ceremony.

The 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies begin at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) and will be carried on NBC in the US and CTV in Canada.  Congratulations Mark, we can’t wait to see you carrying the U.S. flag!