RIO DE JANEIRO – The TODAY Show has announced that Michael Phelps will carry the American flag for Team USA at the opening ceremony for the Rio Olympics. Phelps was chosen by his fellow U.S. athletes to take the honor as Flag Bearer.
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 medals, including 18 gold medals, in swimming.
The opening ceremony takes place for the 31st Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro Friday night.
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Always splashy affairs, the parade of athletes this time around will take place Friday night at Maracana Stadium with a country-by-country show of fashion, along with speeches, flag-raising and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
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News Channel 8’s Paul Ryan is reporting from Rio during the Olympics, which run from Aug. 5 – 21.
