SINGAPORE - The U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) announced today that track & field athlete Hannah Carson (Chandler, Ariz.) was selected as the Team USA flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. Carson was selected by the sport captains of the 2010 U.S. Youth Olympic Games Team, and she will carry the U.S. flag into the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 14.
"It's very exciting to be the flag bearer," Carson said. "My grandpa is an Army veteran and is a big role model - someone I really look up to. He served 23 years and 11 months, and he fought for our country, so I know this will make him proud.
"I think it's going to be a good challenge here, to go against top international competition," Carson continued.
Carson, who will compete in the javelin in Singapore, will be a senior at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz., in the fall. She qualified for the Youth Olympic Games after winning the javelin competition at the 2010 U.S. Area Youth Selection Trials in Arlington, Texas, in April with a throw of 52.35 m (171 feet, 9.4 inches).
Although Carson can not compete in javelin for her school as it is not a sanctioned sport at the high school level in Arizona, she is currently the No. 1-ranked female high school javelin thrower in the U.S. In June, she won the New Balance Outdoor Girls Championship held in North Carolina. She also competes in the shot put and discus, winning 2010 Arizona 5A-1 State titles in both. She helped Chandler High School to the girls' team title at the Nike National Championship in July.
Track & field competition will be held at Bishan Stadium. Prelims of the javelin take place on Wednesday, Aug. 18, with the finals on Sunday, Aug. 22.
About Team USA
The U.S. Team in Singapore is comprised of 82 athletes in 18 sports, the maximum number of qualified U.S. athletes. Team USA is competing in aquatics (swimming and diving), archery, badminton, basketball, boxing, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, judo, modern pentathlon, sailing, table tennis, taekwondo, track & field, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. Complete information on Team USA can be found at youtholympicgames.teamusa.org.
About the 2010 Youth Olympic Games
Singapore is hosting the inaugural Youth Olympic Games from Aug. 14-26, 2010, as young athletes ages 14-18 compete in 26 sports and take part in the Culture and Education Program. Approximately 3,600 athletes from around the world will participate, and all 205 National Olympic Committees will be represented. The Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games aim to inspire youth to embrace, embody and express the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect. More information can be found at www.singapore2010.sg.
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Hannah Carson, Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, U.S. Olympic Committee, YOG, Youth Olympic Games
