Modern pentathlete to carry Brazil's flag at Rio 2016 Olympics opening ceremony

Brazil's modern pentathlete Yane Marques, a bronze medalist in London 2012, will be Team Brasil's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games on August 5. The announcement was made on Sunday night (Jul. 31) by the head of the Brazilian Olympic Committee, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, after the results of a voting contest on the Fantástico show on Globo TV.

Pernambuco-born Yane was the best voted candidate by the audience, competing with sailor Robert Scheidt, who carried the delegation flag in Beijing 2008, and the men's volleyball libero Serginho.

Marques's first Olympics appearance was in Beijing 2008 when she finished in 18th place, competing with 36 athletes. She won a bronze medal in London 2012, and now gears up for her third Olympic appearance in Rio.

In an interview on the TV show reported on the Brazilian Olympic Committee website, Marques said she was surprised at both her nomination and the result of the contest. “I want to be a cheerful flag bearer and maybe even a spokeswoman with the flag, to make Brazilians more united. I want to be a representative of all Brazilians on that day,” she said.

Translated by Mayra Borges