2008 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations explained

2008 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations was part of the opening ceremony that originating with the 1896 Olympic Games. The national team from each nation participating in the Olympic Games paraded behind their national flag into the Olympic Stadium. The flag bearer was an athlete of each national delegation chosen, to represent the athletes, either by the National Olympic Committee or by the national team.

Announcers in the stadium read off the names of the marching nations in French, English, (the official languages of the Olympics) and Mandarin Chinese with music accompanying the athletes as they marched into the stadium.

The Marshall Islands, Montenegro, and Tuvalu debuted at these Games, and Serbia competed under its name for the first time after the 1912 Summer Olympics. Montenegro and Serbia were previously one country as the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Parade order

Per tradition, Greece entered first as the progenitor of the Olympic Games, and the host country, China, entered last. All nations in between marched in the order of the host language, Simplified Chinese.

As Chinese characters do not have an alphabetical order, they were sorted based on stroke count.^[1] Specifically:

• Characters with fewer strokes march earlier, so Australia (Chinese: 澳大利亚) marched before Zambia (Chinese: 赞比亚) because Chinese: [[wikt:澳|澳]] has 15 strokes and Chinese: [[wikt:赞|赞]] has 16 strokes.
• If the initial characters have the same number of strokes, then the stroke orders of the two characters are grouped in the order 橫竖撇捺折 (horizontal/vertical/left falling/right falling/fold). For example, Yemen (Chinese: 也门) marched before Maldives (Chinese: 马尔代夫) because Chinese: [[wikt:也|也]] has three strokes in the order (525), while Chinese: [[wikt:马|马]] has three strokes in the order (551).
  • Multiple Chinese sources misreported that if the initial characters had the same number of strokes, the second characters would be used.^{[2] [3]} However, this is inaccurate as Chad (Chinese: 乍得, stroke count 5-11) marched before Ghana (Chinese: 加纳, stroke count 5-7) because Chinese: [[wikt:乍|乍]] (stroke order (31211)) is ordered in front of Chinese: [[wikt:加|加]] (stroke order (53251)).
• If the stroke order groups are still the same, the initial characters tie and the second characters of each nation are used.
  • Excluding identical characters, a tie only occurred once, with The Gambia (Chinese: 冈比亚) and Benin (Chinese: 贝宁). Chinese: [[wikt:冈|冈]] has four strokes in the order (2534), and Chinese: [[wikt:贝|贝]] has four strokes in the order (2534), so the second characters were used. Chinese: [[wikt:比|比]] has 4 strokes and Chinese: [[wikt:宁|宁]] has 5 strokes, so The Gambia marched before Benin.
  • Note that this differs from GB stroke-based order, which also uses the 橫竖撇捺折 system. Under GB stroke-based order, the comparison between ㇆ and ㇕ would have been the tiebreaker, with ㇕ ordering before ㇆ due to having fewer turns. This would have caused 贝 to be ordered before 冈 instead of the two characters tying, and Benin would have marched before The Gambia.
• If the second characters still have the same number of strokes, then the stroke order groups are used again. For example, Djibouti (Chinese: 吉布提) marched before Kyrgyzstan (Chinese: 吉尔吉斯斯坦) because Chinese: [[wikt:布|布]] has five strokes in the order (13252), while Chinese: [[wikt:尔|尔]] has five strokes in the order (35234).
• If the third characters still have the same number of strokes, the stroke order groups are not used and it skips to the fourth character. Excluding identical characters, this only occurred once: the US Virgin Islands (Chinese: 美属维尔京群岛) marched before American Samoa (Chinese: 美属萨摩亚), since Chinese: [[wikt:维|维]] and Chinese: [[wikt:萨|萨]] both have 11 strokes, ㇜ (5) sorting behind ㇐ (1) is ignored, and Chinese: [[wikt:尔|尔]] (5 strokes) sorts in front of Chinese: [[wikt:摩|摩]] (15 strokes).
  • This did not occur during the 2022 Winter Olympics, with stroke order groups used throughout and American Samoa marching in front of the US Virgin Islands.

Two nations were ordered based on a different name:

• Macedonia marched under its then-provisional designation "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (Chinese: 前南斯拉夫马其顿共和国), but was sorted under "Macedonia" (Chinese: 马其顿 Mǎqídùn).
• The United Arab Emirates marched under its short name in Chinese (Chinese: 阿联酋 Āliánqiú), but was sorted under its full name (Chinese: 阿拉伯联合酋长国 Ālābó Liánhé Qiúzhǎngguó).

Three nations marched out of order:

• During the 2000, 2004, and 2006 Olympics, South Korea (Chinese: 韩国) and North Korea (Chinese: 朝鲜民主主义人民共和国) had marched as one team under the Korean Unification Flag. However, during these 2008 Olympics, negotiations failed for political reasons. Despite this, by coincidence in Simplified Chinese, the sort order would have placed North Korea immediately after South Korea, since Chinese: [[wikt:韩|韩]] and Chinese: [[wikt:朝|朝]] both have 12 strokes starting with (1225) which no other 12-stroke country starts with. The organizing team left this as-is, but North Korea refused to march next to South Korea and successfully requested to be moved three teams later in the parade order.^[4] South Korea marched under its short name "Korea" in all three parade languages.
• Under the original sort order, Israel (Chinese: 以色列) ((5434)) would have marched immediately after Palestine (Chinese: 巴勒斯坦) ((5215)), but instead marched 22 teams earlier, apparently under the fiction ((2434)) between Vanuatu (Chinese: 瓦努阿图) ((1554)) and Japan (Chinese: 日本) ((2511)).
  • During the 2022 Winter Olympics in which Palestine did not compete, this did not occur and Israel marched after Pakistan (Chinese: 巴基斯坦), which starts with the same character as Palestine.
• For unknown reasons, Tonga (Chinese: 汤加) marched after Andorra (Chinese: 安道尔) and other nations beginning with Chinese: [[wikt:安|安]], even though Chinese: [[wikt:汤|汤]] ((441533)) sorts in front of Chinese: 安 ((445531)). By comparison, Zimbabwe (Chinese: 津巴布韦) marched in front of Tunisia (Chinese: 突尼斯) as expected, under the same circumstances (Chinese: [[wikt:津|津]] and Chinese: [[wikt:突|突]] both have 9 strokes and begin with a comparison between (441) and (445)).
• Multiple sources reported that Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) (Chinese: 中华台北) and the Central African Republic (Chinese: 中非) had switched places to prevent Taiwan from marching next to Hong Kong (Chinese: 中国香港),^[5] but this is inaccurate as Chinese: [[wikt:非|非]] ((21112111)) is naturally ordered before Chinese: [[wikt:国|国]] ((25112141)). Taiwan had originally requested to march under Chinese: [[wikt:台|台]] Tái.^{[6] [7]}
  • Zaobao reported that a contingency plan had been set up so that if Central African Republic athletes did not arrive at the opening ceremony, a BOCOG volunteer would still hold the country's placard and march between Taiwan and Hong Kong.^[6] However, this is not unusual (for example, the same occurred during the 2016 Summer Olympics parade when athletes from Eritrea did not arrive until after the opening ceremony).

Brunei was excluded from the Games by the IOC shortly before the Opening Ceremony as no athletes had been registered.^[8] One of the published lists of flag bearers was later edited to note this. Brunei athletes would have originally marched 36th between Uzbekistan and Barbados.

List

The following is a list of each country's flag bearer. The list is sorted by the sequence that each nation appeared in the parade of nations. The names are given in their official designations by the IOC, and the Chinese names follow their official designations by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games.

Order	Nation	Chinese name	Pinyin	Flag bearer	Sport
1		Chinese: 希腊		^[9]	Judo
2		Chinese: 几内亚		^[10]
3		Chinese: 几内亚比绍			Wrestling
4		Chinese: 土耳其			Wrestling
5		Chinese: 土库曼斯坦		^[11]	Judo
6		Chinese: 也门
7		Chinese: 马尔代夫			Swimming
8		Chinese: 马耳他		^[12]	Judo
9		Chinese: 马达加斯加			Boxing
10		Chinese: 马来西亚		^[13]	Cycling
11		Chinese: 马里		^[14]	Taekwondo
12		Chinese: 马拉维			Swimming
13		Chinese: 前南斯拉夫马其顿共和国		^[15]	Canoeing
14		Chinese: 马绍尔群岛		^[16]	Official
15		Chinese: 开曼群岛			Athletics
16		Chinese: 不丹			Archery
17		Chinese: 厄瓜多尔			Weightlifting
18		Chinese: 厄立特里亚			Athletics
19		Chinese: 牙买加			Athletics
20		Chinese: 比利时		^[17]	Sailing
21		Chinese: 瓦努阿图		^[18]	Table tennis
22		Chinese: 以色列		^[19]	Canoeing
23		Chinese: 日本		^[20]	Table tennis
24		Chinese: 中华台北		^[21]	Softball
25		Chinese: 中非			Athletics
26		Chinese: 中国香港		^[22]	Cycling
27		Chinese: 冈比亚			Boxing
28		Chinese: 贝宁			Athletics
29		Chinese: 毛里求斯			Athletics
30		Chinese: 毛里塔尼亚			Athletics
31		Chinese: 丹麦		^[23]	Athletics
32		Chinese: 乌干达			Boxing
33		Chinese: 乌克兰		^[24]	Swimming
34		Chinese: 乌拉圭		^[25]	Sailing
35		Chinese: 乌兹别克斯坦			Boxing
36		Chinese: 巴巴多斯			Swimming
37		Chinese: 巴布亚新几内亚			Swimming
38		Chinese: 巴西		^[26]	Sailing
39		Chinese: 巴拉圭		^[27]	Athletics
40		Chinese: 巴林		^[28]	Athletics
41		Chinese: 巴哈马			Athletics
42		Chinese: 巴拿马			Fencing
43		Chinese: 巴基斯坦		^[29]	Field hockey
44		Chinese: 巴勒斯坦			Athletics
45		Chinese: 古巴		^[30]	Wrestling
46		Chinese: 布基纳法索		^[31]	Athletics
47		Chinese: 布隆迪			Athletics
48		Chinese: 东帝汶			Athletics
49		Chinese: 卡塔尔			Shooting
50		Chinese: 卢旺达			Swimming
51		Chinese: 卢森堡			Swimming
52		Chinese: 乍得			Athletics
53		Chinese: 白俄罗斯			Fencing
54		Chinese: 印度		^[32]	Shooting
55		Chinese: 印度尼西亚		^[33]	Sailing
56		Chinese: 立陶宛		^[34]	Basketball
57		Chinese: 尼日尔			Swimming
58		Chinese: 尼日利亚			Table tennis
59		Chinese: 尼加拉瓜		^[35]	Boxing (non-participant)
60		Chinese: 尼泊尔		^[36]	Taekwondo
61		Chinese: 加纳			Athletics
62		Chinese: 加拿大		^[37]	Canoeing
63		Chinese: 加蓬			Judo
64		Chinese: 圣马力诺			Shooting
65		Chinese: 圣文森特和格林纳丁斯			Athletics
66		Chinese: 圣卢西亚			Athletics
67		Chinese: 圣多美和普林西比			Athletics
68		Chinese: 圣基茨和尼维斯			Athletics
69		Chinese: 圭亚那			Swimming
70		Chinese: 吉布提		^[38]	Athletics (non-participant)
71		Chinese: 吉尔吉斯斯坦			Judo
72		Chinese: 老挝			Athletics
73		Chinese: 亚美尼亚		^[39]	Gymnastics
74		Chinese: 西班牙		^[40]	Canoeing
75		Chinese: 百慕大			Equestrian
76		Chinese: 列支敦士登		^[41]	Athletics (marathon)
77		Chinese: 刚果（布）			Athletics
78		Chinese: 刚果（金）			Athletics
79		Chinese: 伊拉克			Rowing
80		Chinese: 伊朗		^[42]	Rowing
81		Chinese: 危地马拉		^[43]	Badminton
82		Chinese: 匈牙利		^[44]	Canoeing
83		Chinese: 多米尼加共和国		^[45]	Athletics
84		Chinese: 多米尼克			Athletics
85		Chinese: 多哥			Canoeing
86		Chinese: 冰岛		^[46]	Swimming
87		Chinese: 关岛			Judo
88		Chinese: 安哥拉			Athletics
89		Chinese: 安提瓜和巴布达			Athletics
90		Chinese: 安道尔			Canoeing
91		Chinese: 汤加			Athletics
92		Chinese: 约旦		^[47]	Table tennis
93		Chinese: 赤道几内亚			Athletics
94		Chinese: 芬兰		^[48]	Shooting
95		Chinese: 克罗地亚		^[49]	Handball
96		Chinese: 苏丹			Athletics
97		Chinese: 苏里南			Swimming
98		Chinese: 利比亚		^[50]	Judo
99		Chinese: 利比里亚			Athletics
100		Chinese: 伯利兹			Athletics
101		Chinese: 佛得角			Gymnastics
102		Chinese: 库克群岛		^[51]	Weightlifting
103		Chinese: 沙特			Athletics
104		Chinese: 阿尔及利亚			Swimming
105		Chinese: 阿尔巴尼亚		^[52]	Wrestling
106		Chinese: 阿联酋		^[53]	Taekwondo
107		Chinese: 阿根廷		^[54]	Basketball
108		Chinese: 阿曼			Shooting
109		Chinese: 阿鲁巴			Judo
110		Chinese: 阿富汗			Taekwondo
111		Chinese: 阿塞拜疆		^[55]	Wrestling
112		Chinese: 纳米比亚		^[56]	Cycling
113		Chinese: 坦桑尼亚			Athletics
114		Chinese: 拉脱维亚		^[57]	Athletics
115		Chinese: 英国		^[58]	Swimming
116		Chinese: 英属维尔京群岛			Athletics
117		Chinese: 肯尼亚		^[59]
118		Chinese: 罗马尼亚		^[60]	Handball
119		Chinese: 帕劳			Wrestling
120		Chinese: 图瓦卢			Weightlifting
121		Chinese: 委内瑞拉			Softball
122		Chinese: 所罗门群岛		^[61]	Weightlifting
123		Chinese: 法国		^[62]	Canoeing
124		Chinese: 波兰		^[63]	Canoeing
125		Chinese: 波多黎各		^[64]	Boxing
126		Chinese: 波黑		^[65]	Judo
127		Chinese: 孟加拉国		^[66]	Swimming
128		Chinese: 玻利维亚			Shooting
129		Chinese: 挪威		^[67]	Weightlifting
130		Chinese: 南非			Swimming
131		Chinese: 柬埔寨			Athletics
132		Chinese: 哈萨克斯坦			Weightlifting
133		Chinese: 科威特			Shooting
134		Chinese: 科特迪瓦			Athletics
135		Chinese: 科摩罗			Athletics
136		Chinese: 保加利亚		^[68]	Swimming
137		Chinese: 俄罗斯		^[69]	Basketball
138		Chinese: 叙利亚			Weightlifting
139		Chinese: 美国		^[70]	Athletics
140		Chinese: 美属维尔京群岛			Swimming
141		Chinese: 美属萨摩亚			Judo
142		Chinese: 洪都拉斯			Taekwondo
143		Chinese: 津巴布韦			Athletics
144		Chinese: 突尼斯			Judo
145		Chinese: 泰国			Boxing
146		Chinese: 埃及			Wrestling
147		Chinese: 埃塞俄比亚			Coach
148		Chinese: 莱索托			Athletics
149		Chinese: 莫桑比克			Athletics
150		Chinese: 荷兰			Field hockey
151		Chinese: 荷属安的列斯			Athletics
152		Chinese: 格林纳达			Athletics
153		Chinese: 格鲁吉亚			Wrestling
154		Chinese: 索马里			Chef de mission (non-participant)
155		Chinese: 哥伦比亚		^[71]	Cycling
156		Chinese: 哥斯达黎加			Athletics
157		Chinese: 特立尼达和多巴哥			Swimming
158		Chinese: 秘鲁		^[72]	Wrestling
159		Chinese: 爱尔兰		^[73]	Sailing
160		Chinese: 爱沙尼亚		^[74]	Judo
161		Chinese: 海地			Judo
162		Chinese: 捷克		^[75]	Canoeing
163		Chinese: 基里巴斯			Weightlifting
164		Chinese: 菲律宾		^[76]	Boxing (non-participant)
165		Chinese: 萨尔瓦多			Weightlifting
166		Chinese: 萨摩亚			Weightlifting
167		Chinese: 密克罗尼西亚联邦			Weightlifting
168		Chinese: 塔吉克斯坦			Athletics
169		Chinese: 越南			Athletics
170		Chinese: 博茨瓦纳			Swimming
171		Chinese: 斯里兰卡		^[77]	Athletics
172		Chinese: 斯威士兰			Athletics
173		Chinese: 斯洛文尼亚		^[78]	Judo
174		Chinese: 斯洛伐克		^[79]	Canoeing
175		Chinese: 葡萄牙		^[80]	Athletics
176		Chinese: 韩国		^[81]	Judo
177		Chinese: 斐济		^[82]	Athletics
178		Chinese: 喀麦隆		^[83]	Judo
179		Chinese: 黑山		^[84]	Water polo
180		Chinese: 朝鲜民主主义人民共和国			Athletics (official)
181		Chinese: 智利		^[85]	Tennis
182		Chinese: 奥地利		^[86]	Sailing
183		Chinese: 缅甸		Phone Myint Tayzar	Canoeing
184		Chinese: 瑞士		^[87]	Tennis
185		Chinese: 瑞典		^[88]	Athletics
186		Chinese: 瑙鲁			Weightlifting
187		Chinese: 蒙古		^[89]	Judo
188		Chinese: 新加坡		^[90]	Table tennis
189		Chinese: 新西兰			Rowing
190		Chinese: 意大利		^[91]	Canoeing
191		Chinese: 塞内加尔			Taekwondo
192		Chinese: 塞尔维亚		^[92]	Shooting
193		Chinese: 塞舌尔			Badminton
194		Chinese: 塞拉利昂			Athletics
195		Chinese: 塞浦路斯			Shooting
196		Chinese: 墨西哥		^[93]	Diving
197		Chinese: 黎巴嫩			Shooting
198		Chinese: 德国		^[94]	Basketball
199		Chinese: 摩尔多瓦			Wrestling
200		Chinese: 摩纳哥			Rowing
201		Chinese: 摩洛哥			Athletics (coach)
202		Chinese: 澳大利亚			Rowing
203		Chinese: 赞比亚			Boxing
204		Chinese: 中国		^[95]	Basketball

Notes:

See also

• 2004 Summer Olympics national flag bearers
• 2008 Summer Paralympics national flag bearers
• 2010 Winter Olympics national flag bearers
• 2022 Winter Olympics national flag bearers

References

Main reference: Web site: List of flagbearers Bejing (sic) 2008 . 8 August 2008 . 8 August 2008 . olympic.org .

Notes and References

1. Web site: Opening Ceremony plan released — The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808103425/http://en.beijing2008.cn/ceremonies/n214508163.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
2. Web site: 代表团将按中文笔画入场 希腊打头中国垫后 . 2008-07-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080920103349/http://2008.sohu.com/20080730/n258479304.shtml . 2008-09-20 . dead .
3. Web site: 开幕式按笔画排序入场 . 2008-08-23 . 2016-08-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827003142/http://www.gmw.cn/01wzb/2008-08/07/content_818825.htm . live .
4. News: Olympic Team Halts Push for Joint March . Kim . D. Peter . 6 August 2008 . The Korea Times. 10 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080822021749/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/sports/2008/08/136_28897.html . 22 August 2008 . live .
5. Web site: The Beijing Olympics as a Turning Point? China’s First Olympics in East Asian Perspective. The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. 2009-06-06.
6. Web site: 奥运入场台没被矮化 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101111150939/http://www.zaobao.com/special/newspapers/2008/07/taiwan080730n.shtml . 2010-11-11 . dead .
7. Web site: A Side Competition in Beijing: Island vs. Mainland. The New York Times. 2008-07-06.
8. News: Brunei Darussalam excluded from Beijing Olympic Games. Xinhua. 8 August 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080813082320/http://www.china.org.cn/olympics/news/2008-08/08/content_16167337.htm. 13 August 2008 . live.
9. News: 2 July 2008 . Greek Olympic Judo champion to carry flag at Beijing Olympics . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808093504/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/judo/n214429862.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
10. Web site: List of Flagbearers Beijing 2008. olympic.org. 6 September 2011.
11. News: 30 July 2008 . To carry the flag of the Motherland . turkmenistan.gov.tm . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810195801/http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/_en/?idr=10&id=080630a . 10 August 2008 . dead .
12. News: 24 June 2008 . MOC names athletes for Beijing Olympics . maltamedia.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080803044517/http://www.maltamedia.com/artman2/publish/sports/article_7015.shtml . 3 August 2008 . live .
13. News: 16 July 2008 . Cyclist Azizul will be Malaysia's flag bearer at Olympic Games . thestar.com.my . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080801060113/http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=%2F2008%2F7%2F16%2Fsports%2F21835571&sec=sports . 1 August 2008 . dead .
14. News: 3 July 2008 . Daba Modibo Keita désigné porte-drapeau du Mali aux J0 de Pékin . jeuneafrique.com . fr . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828034701/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/jeune_afrique/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=APA75948dabamnikped0 . 28 August 2008 . dead .
15. News: 24 July 2008 . Youth and Sports Agency provides financial assistance for Macedonian Olympic athletes . idividi.com.mk . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828041829/http://www.idividi.com.mk/English/458105/index.html . 28 August 2008 . dead .
16. News: 29 July 2008 . Flagbearers named . sportingpulse.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810122821/http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=1-5652-0-0-0&sID=76499&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=6058752&sectionID=76499 . 10 August 2008 . live .
17. News: 6 August 2008 . Sebastien Godefroid draagt Belgische vlag tijdens openingsceremonie . standaard.be . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828024831/http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=DMF06082008_002 . 28 August 2008 . live .
18. News: 14 May 2008 . Priscila Tommy in Roger Federer's Footsteps? . ittf.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812083932/http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=15385&Category= . 12 August 2008 . dead .
19. News: 9 July 2008 . Kolganov to carry Israel flag in Beijing . The Jerusalem Post. https://archive.today/20120527082632/http://fr.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1215330904908&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull . dead . 27 May 2012 . 4 February 2011 .
20. News: 11 June 2008 . Ai Fukuhara will bear the Japanese flag . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808124337/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/tabletennis/n214400493.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
21. News: 6 August 2008 . zh: "漂亮宝贝"赖圣蓉出任中华台北队旗手 . 中国新闻网 . http://chinanews.com.cn/olympic/news/2008/08-06/1336916.shtml . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812124513/http://chinanews.com.cn/olympic/news/2008/08-06/1336916.shtml . 12 August 2008 . live . zh .
22. News: Wong Kampo picked as HK's flag bearer at opening ceremony. 4 August 2008. Xinhuanet. 5 August 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080813183715/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/04/content_8951250.htm. 13 August 2008 . dead.
23. News: 25 June 2008 . Olsen will carry Olympic flag for Denmark . iaaf.org . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811180932/http://www.iaaf.org/OLY08/news/kind%3D100/newsid%3D44895.html . 11 August 2008 . live .
24. News: 17 July 2008 . Ukraine Announces Flag Bearer for Beijing . english.cri.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810131642/http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/07/17/65s382012.htm . 10 August 2008 . dead .
25. News: 17 July 2008 . Sailor Alejandro Foglia to carry Uruguay flag at Beijing Olympics . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808092056/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/sailing/n214458791.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
26. News: 4 July 2008. Brazil picks sailor Scheidt as flag bearer for Beijing Olympics. International Herald Tribune. 8 August 2008. 9 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121009084045/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/04/sports/LA-OLY-Brazil-Flag-Bearer.php. dead.
27. News: 24 July 2008 . Paraguay to Send Only Seven Athletes for Beijing Olympics . english.cri.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810133351/http://english.cri.cn/6066/2008/07/24/65s384868.htm . 10 August 2008 . dead .
28. News: 1 August 2008. Bahrain gear up for Games . gulf-daily-news.com. 8 August 2008 .
29. News: 26 July 2008 . Hockey team captain to lead Pak contingent in Olympics parade . nation.com.pk . 8 August 2008 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811162901/http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Sports/27-Jul-2008/Hockey-team-captain-to-lead-Pak-contingent-in-Olympics-parade . 11 August 2008 .
30. News: 18 July 2008. Raul Castro Hands Over Flag to Cuban Delegation to Beijing . cubanews.ain.cu. 8 August 2008 .
31. News: Flag-bearers for Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony . 8 August 2008. Xinhua. 8 August 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080811202915/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/08/content_9054194.htm. 11 August 2008 . dead.
32. News: 4 August 2008 . ŠRathore to be India's flag bearer in Beijing . ndtv.com . 8 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080807043214/http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/showsports.aspx?id=SPOEN20080060015 . 7 August 2008 .
33. News: 4 August 2008 . Atlet Indonesia ke Beijing . koni.or.id . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812084027/http://www.koni.or.id/index.php/section/news/tag/Berita_olahraga/title/Atlet_Indonesia_ke_Beijing/type/1/id/445 . 12 August 2008 . dead .
34. News: 17 July 2008 . Š. Jasikevičius will carry the Lithuanian flag . lrt.lt . 8 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813095535/http://www.lrt.lt/english/index.php?strid=4270804&id=4703252 . 13 August 2008 .
35. News: 24 June 2008 . Alexis Argüello to bear Nicaraguan flag in Bejing (sic) Olympics . xinhuanet.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813142524/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/10/content_8520904.htm . 13 August 2008 . dead .
36. News: Bista to Carry Nepal's Flag in Olympics . 23 July 2008 . thehimalayantimes.com . 5 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813142818/http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullstory.asp?filename=aFanata0va3qzpca8a9a5ta.axamal&folder=aHaoamW&Name=Home&dtSiteDate=20080805 . 13 August 2008 . dead .
37. News: Van Koeverden named Canada's flag-bearer. 23 July 2008. CBC Olympics. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 July 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080819015926/http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/story/2008/07/23/flag-bearer.html. 19 August 2008 . live.
38. News: 8 August 2008 . Athletics provides most flag bearers at Beijing Olympics opening ceremony . chinaview.cn . https://web.archive.org/web/20080907072954/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/08/content_9052597.htm . 7 September 2008 . dead . 4 September 2009 .
39. News: 27 May 2008 . 23–25 SPORTSMEN PRESENT ARMENIA IN OLYMPIC GAMES . armtown.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812160452/http://www.armtown.com/news/en/prm/20080527/41167/ . 12 August 2008 . dead .
40. News: 18 July 2008 . David Cal Figueroa will be flag bearer for Spain . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808092308/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/flatwater/n214461086.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
41. News: 8 June 2008 . Marcel Tschopp Fahnenträger . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828053217/http://www.losv.li/Aktuell/tabid/55/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/113/Marcel-Tschopp-Fahnentrger.aspx . 28 August 2008 . dead .
42. News: 19 July 2008. Hosseini Will Carry Iran's Flag . iran-daily.com. 8 August 2008 .
43. News: 16 July 2008 . Badminton Player to Be Flag Bearer of Guatemala . cri.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810131628/http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/07/16/65s381407.htm . 10 August 2008 . dead .
44. News: 8 May 2008 . Kammerer zászlóvivőként nyerne Pekingben . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813050801/http://olimpia.origo.hu/peking-2008/kajak-kenu/20080508-video-kammerer-zaszlovivokent-nyerne-pekingben.html . 13 August 2008 . live .
45. News: 19 July 2008 . Feliz Sanchez leads Dominican delegation to Olympics . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080804075427/http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/sports/2008/7/19/28715/Felix-Sanchez-leads-Dominican-delegation-to-Olympics . 4 August 2008 . dead .
46. News: 8 July 2008. Örn Arnarson – fánaberi í Peking. 8 August 2008 .
47. News: 2 August 2008 . Jordan to have a female flag bearer for Beijing Olympics . xinhuanet.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811042933/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/02/content_8912243.htm . 11 August 2008 . dead .
48. News: 6 August 2008. Six-time Olympian Juha Hirvi to carry Finnish flag at Beijing opening ceremonies. hs.fi. 8 August 2008 .
49. News: 11 July 2008 . Handball Champion Balic to Bear Flag at Olympics . javno.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828040256/http://www.javno.com/en/sports/clanak.php?id=163556 . 28 August 2008 . dead .
50. News: 27 July 2008 . Libya's Team Leaves for Beijing Olympics With Seven Athletes. . Libyaonline.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811115201/http://www.libyaonline.com/news/details.php?id=4957 . 11 August 2008 . dead .
51. News: 31 July 2008 . IWF – Olympic news on Weightlifting . asoif.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812074246/http://www.asoif.com/vsite/vcontent/content/news/0%2C10869%2C4819-126200-127507-17619-287748-news-item%2C00.html . 12 August 2008 . dead .
52. News: 12 July 2008. Final preparations ahead of Beijing 2008. amc.al. 8 August 2008. 12 August 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080812082613/http://www.amc.al/Default.aspx?id=1402&nt=108&lang=1. dead.
53. News: 25 June 2008. Hydra to sponsor UAE at Games . gulf-news.com. 8 August 2008 .
54. News: 2 July 2008 . Ginobili to carry Argentine flag during Games opening ceremony . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080807024212/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/basketball/n214431076.shtml . 7 August 2008 . dead .
55. News: 18 July 2008. No one Responsible for Shortages in Azerbaijani Sportsmen's Qualification for Olympic Games: Minister . news.trendaz.com. 8 August 2008 .
56. News: 1 August 2008 . Heymans Namibia's flag-bearer at Games . namibian.com.na . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813052828/http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/August/sport/081B67E958.html . 13 August 2008 . dead .
57. News: 6 August 2008 . Latvijas karogu Pekinā nesīs Vasiļevskis. lv. . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080915215342/http://www.diena.lv/lat/pekina2008/pekinaszinas/latvijas-karogu-pekina-nesis-vasilevskis . 15 September 2008 . dead .
58. News: 6 August 2008. Foster to carry flag for Britain. bbc.co.uk. 8 August 2008 .
59. News: 9 August 2008. Momanyi leads team to a pompous Olympic Games opening ceremony. . 9 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080822204812/http://www.eastandard.net/sports/InsidePage.php?id=1143992040&cid=48& . 22 August 2008.
60. News: 11 July 2008 . Valeria Bese – Romanian Olympic delegation's flag-bearer in Beijing . Nineoclock.ro . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080828084640/http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?page=detalii&categorie=sports&id=20080711-17254 . 28 August 2008 . live .
61. News: 24 July 2008 . Hale carries our flag . solomonstarnews.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811173902/http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2377&change=100&changeown=102&Itemid=42 . 11 August 2008 . dead .
62. News: 9 May 2008 . Tony Estanguet chosen to carry French flag at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808121240/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/slalom/n214397619.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
63. News: 9 July 2008 . Marek Twardowski is chosen as the flag bearer for Poland . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808092303/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/flatwater/n214456913.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead .
64. News: 4 July 2008 . Boxeador McWilliams Arroyo será abanderado de P.Rico en Pekín 2008 . ocala.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812182033/http://www.ocala.com/article/20080704/VOZLATINA/944606627/1344/VOZLATINA%26title%3DBoxeador_McWilliams_Arroyo_ser__abanderado_de_P_Rico_en_Pek_n_2008 . 12 August 2008 . live .
65. News: 25 July 2008 . Nositi zastavu BiH na otvaranju Igara je čast i obaveza . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808105344/http://www.sarajevo-x.com/clanak/080725069 . 8 August 2008 . live .
66. News: 5 August 2008 . Rubel carries national flag in Beijing as Sharmin loses eligibility . bdnews24.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812053521/http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=59020&cid=5 . 12 August 2008 . dead .
67. News: 4 August 2008 . Uganda-born weightlifter to carry Norwegian flag at Olympics . monstersandcritics.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812210911/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/sport/olympics2008/news/article_1421397.php/Uganda-born_weightlifter_to_carry_Norwegian_flag_at_Olympics . 12 August 2008 . dead .
68. News: 5 August 2008 . Petar Stoychev is the Bulgarian Flag Bearer at the Olympics . ibox.bg . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080807151133/http://international.ibox.bg/news/id_1588065421 . 7 August 2008 . live .
69. News: 25 July 2008 . ru:Сборная России получила знаменосца на Олимпиаде-2008 . Lenta.ru . http://lenta.ru/news/2008/07/25/bearer/ . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808025856/http://www.lenta.ru/news/2008/07/25/bearer/ . 8 August 2008 . live . ru.
70. News: 6 August 2008 . Lopez Lomong chosen as American flag bearer at Beijing Olympics . Los Angeles Times. 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081013034710/http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olyflagbearer7-2008aug07%2C0%2C796873.story . 13 October 2008 . dead.
71. News: 20 May 2008 . Number of Colombian athletes to Beijing Olympics rises to 63 . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808170305/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/others/n214369000.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead.
72. News: 31 July 2008 . Peru's finest athletes travel to Beijing to compete in 2008 Olympics . livinginperu.com . 8 August 2008 . https://archive.today/20080919155112/http://www.livinginperu.com/news-7019-peru-perus-finest-athletes-travel-beijing-compete-2008-olympics . 19 September 2008 . dead.
73. News: 11 July 2008 . Ciara Peelo to carry flag for Ireland . Olympicsport.ie . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811175430/http://www.olympicsport.ie/News.aspx?pageId=35&itemId=468 . 11 August 2008 . dead.
74. News: 28 July 2008 . Martin Padar to bear Estonia's flag at Olympic Games . baltic-course.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811164246/http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/baltic_news/?doc=1240 . 11 August 2008 . live.
75. News: 4 August 2008 . Hilgertová to carry Czech flag at Olympics ceremony . praguemonitor.com . 8 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813114453/http://www.praguemonitor.com/en/392/czech_sports/26318/ . 13 August 2008 .
76. News: 5 July 2008 . Pacquiao to carry RP flag in Beijing Olympics . inquirer.net . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811173236/http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/olympics/view.php?db=1&article=20080705-146555 . 11 August 2008 . dead.
77. News: 19 July 2008 . SPRINTER SUSANTHIKA TO LEAD SRI LANKAN TEAM FOR THE OLYMPICS . namnewsnetwork.org . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812053056/http://www.namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=54241 . 12 August 2008 . dead.
78. News: 3 August 2008 . Zastavo bo nosila Urška Žolnir . siol.net . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080810065457/http://www.siol.net/sportal/olimpizem/peking_2008/novice/2008/08/zolnirjeva_nosilka_zastave_na_slovesnem_odprtju_oi.aspx . 10 August 2008 . dead .
79. News: 19 July 2008 . 56 Slovak Athletes to Compete in Beijing Summer Olympic Games . tasr.sk . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080804110543/http://www.tasr.sk/30.axd?k=20080720TBB00205 . 4 August 2008 . dead.
80. News: 1 August 2008 . Nelson Évora porta-bandeira na Cerimónia de Abertura . Comité Olímpico de Portugal . 8 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811182816/http://www.pequim2008.com.pt/n24-nelson-evora-porta-bandeira-na-cerimo.html . 11 August 2008 .
81. News: 25 July 2008 . Judo champion to lead S Korea at Beijing Olympics opening ceremony . xinhuanet.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813151139/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/25/content_8766533.htm . 13 August 2008 . dead.
82. News: 29 July 2008 . Bulikiobo Chosen As Flag Bearer for Olympics . fijivillage.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080812065137/http://www.fijivillage.com/?mod=story&id=290708128f1b0c8bc3434a095c54e4 . 12 August 2008 . live.
83. News: 28 July 2008 . Cameroon Olympic Team Receives National Blessing . postnewsline.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811122234/http://www.postnewsline.com/2008/07/cameroon-olympi.html . 11 August 2008 . live.
84. News: 19 July 2008. Svečanost za olimpijce. CafedelMontenegro. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722143108/http://www.cafemontenegro.com/index.php?group=33&news=39171. dead. 22 July 2011. 19 March 2009 .
85. News: 30 July 2008 . Chilenos eligieron a González como el abanderado para Beijing . emol.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808130108/http://www.emol.com/noticias/deportes/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=315371 . 8 August 2008 . live.
86. News: 21 July 2008 . Smallest Olympic team since 1976 . wienerzeitung.at . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811153251/http://www.wienerzeitung.at/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4082&Alias=WZO&cob=361914&currentpage=0 . 11 August 2008 . live.
87. News: 1 August 2008 . Roger Federer trägt die Schweizer Fahne . Swiss Olympic Association . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080919111226/http://www.swissolympic.ch/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-632/822_read-24637/ . 19 September 2008 . dead.
88. News: 8 August 2008 . Skadad Olsson svensk fanbärare . Sveriges Television . 8 August 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110612162417/http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=71295&a=1211635&lid=puff_1211637&lpos=lasmer . 12 June 2011 .
89. News: 22 July 2008 . Judoka athlete to bear Mongolia flag at Beijing Olympics opening ceremony . xinhuanet.com . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080813152845/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/22/content_8744772.htm . 13 August 2008 . dead.
90. News: 10 July 2008 . Li Jiawei named flag-bearer for Singapore's Olympic contingent in Beijing . Channelnewsasia.com . 8 August 2008 . https://archive.today/20080828053834/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/359552/1/.html . 28 August 2008 . live.
91. News: 25 June 2008 . Rossi to carry Italian flag at Beijing Olympics . Chinadaily.com.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080804174847/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/2008-06/25/content_6794760.htm . 4 August 2008 . live.
92. News: 10 July 2008 . Jasna Šekarić is to bear Serbian flag in Beijing . Olympic Committee of Serbia . 19 February 2009 .
93. News: 24 June 2008 . Diver to be flag bearer for Mexico . en.beijing2008.cn . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080808115342/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/diving/n214418995.shtml . 8 August 2008 . dead.
94. News: 6 August 2008 . Dirk Nowitzki trägt deutsche Fahne . tagesspiegel.de . 8 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080811014530/http://www.tagesspiegel.de/sport/olympia2008/art17786%2C2587046 . 11 August 2008 . live.
95. News: Yao Ming to carry flag for China . . 7 August 2008 . 7 August 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080919055705/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/7546800.stm. 19 September 2008 . live.