Argentina's President Hands Over Country's Flag To Ginobili For Olympic Ceremonies

Buenos Aires, Argentina (AHN) - San Antonio Spurs' Emanuel Ginobili, who was designated as Olympic flag bearer of the national squad, received on Friday the country's flag from Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez.

The 31-year-old All-Star guard received the flag from the president at a ceremony held at the National Center of Sport High Efficiency (Cenard) which was attended by various sports officials as well as the country's Olympic hopefuls.

The president also gave her support for the athletes competing in the coming Beijing Olympic Games in August. Former athlete and three-time San Silvestre champion Osvaldo Suarez handed the Argentine flag to Ginobili.

Voted as the NBA's sixth man in the recently concluded 2007-2008 season, Ginobili earlier signified plans to play for Argentina, the defending champion. But is uncertain whether the ankle injury he sustained in the NBA playoffs will completely heal in time for the Summer Games in Beijing.

Meanwhile, wheelchair marathoner Carlos "Beto" Rodriguez, designated flag bearer of the Argentine contingent for the Paralympic Games in Beijing in September, received the insignia previously carried by soccer player Silvio Velo.

Also present in the ceremonies were Ginobili' team mate Fabricio Oberto, soccer players Juan Ramon Riqueline and Javier Mascherano, and field hockey player Magdalena Aicega.