OK, I just saw Manny Pacquiao carry the flag for the Philippine olympic team, and I'm confuesd (you see)......

Question

Is he competing... I mean AT ALL there in Beijing!!?? I thought he was to abstain from the games, being a professional prize fighter and all.

I was under the impression that only members/delegates of a country's olympic team are allowed to carry the flag for that nation or take part in the parade at all.

Answer 1

For those who do not know and yes, this is a very valid question. Pacquiao is a great fighter but he is NOT competing in the Olympics in Beijing and therefore, should not carry the flag. I think it's an insult to the athletes who've trained long and hard for these games and one of them should be the ones to carry the flag. Even if he was told to carry the flag, he should know better than to accept such a prestigious responsibility. Only some sports allow professional athletes to participate in the Olympics like basketball, football and I don't remember the rest but definitely not boxing. He shouldn't have carried the flag.

Answer 2

Because of his reputation...

Answer 3

just the flag bearer.

Answer 4

Pacquiao can carry the flag.  Boxing is a sport and Pacquiao is the member of sport association. He is just representing the Philippines in the olympic by carrying the flag.  

Answer 5

Perhaps, he is sending a message.

From the Philippines to all concerned.   Give us a fair fight or the last thing you'd see is my fist.

Answer 6

He happens to be the most obvious choice to represent our country.  However, I don't know the Olympic rules about professionals/amateur participants.   Be aware, though, that the U.S, Lithuania and China are just a few of the countries that sent professional sports stars to the games.( Yao Ming-China; Kobe Bryant et al, USA)

Answer 7

those in parade are members of official delegation. include officials, "special people" and athletes. pacman carried flag coz of his international fame.

Answer 8

Why didn't he become a delegate anyway?!

Answer 9

I agree with Christina.  Manny is a great Filipino athlete, but it is not right that he represents the country via "backdoor" policies of the government with the IOC.  And the Olympics should not be a political platform for any country. Yao Ming was with the Chinese Olympic team, Muhammed Ali was in the Olympics in 1966, etc.

Answer 10

The flag bearer of the participant country in the Olympics is chosen either by the National Olympic Committee or by the athletes themselves to represent their country.  It doesn't necessarily mean he/she is a member of the country's Olympic team.

In our case, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo chose Manny Pacquiao to carry the Philippine Flag in the parade of nations of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  He is the first Filipino to assume the flag-bearer's role even though he has never been an Olympian.  Most likely the reason for choosing the PacMan is because he is the most well-known Filipino athlete right now and his presence as flag-bearer will also be a message to the world that we are a nation that produces world-class athletes.

Answer 11

hes a government 'pet' whatever they tell him.. he obeys with open arms.  

Answer 12

He is not competing at all. He just carried the flag because he most likely represents the Philippines, and many people around the globe recognizes him.

Answer 13

He won't compete in Beijing. Pacman bravely carried tha Philippine flag.