Maria Sharapova Is Candidate to Carry Russian Flag at Olympics

Written by: Staff on 13th June 2012

Maria Sharapova Is Candidate to Carry Russian Flag at Olympics

epa03234759 Russian tennis player Maria Sharapova speaks during a press conference, at Roland Garros Stadium, in Paris, France, 25 May 2012. The tournament, that starts on 27 May, is the second Grand Slam of the season. EPA/CHRISTOPHE KARABA |

It appears newly-crowned Roland Garros champion Maria Sharapova is the front runner to be Russia’s flag-bearer at the opening of next month’s London Olympics

Russia’s tennis federation chief Shamil Tarpishchev has said that Sharapova had already been penciled in as the flag-bearer. But Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko countered: “Maria is an outstanding athlete but currently she’s just a candidate for the role of the country’s

flag-bearer.”

Tarpishchev had said an agreement about it just after the French Open final.

“As far as I know Roger Federer will be Switzerland’s flag-bearer and Rafael Nadal will be Spain’s. It’s very pleasant that the popularity of tennis is growing around the word,” he said.

The official flag-bearer would be officially named after the National Olympic executive committee meeting on July 10-11.

After Sharapova’s Roland Garros win, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev sent her congratulatory messages.

The selection of Sharapova could be controversial as the 25 year old has lived in the United States since she’s been seven years old, and owns home in L.A. and Florida. She rarely goes back to Russia and has only played Fed Cup a few times. However, she was instrumental in publicizing Sochi’s successful bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Topics: 10sballs.com, London Olympics, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Russian tennis news., Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, women tennis news