Jul 23, 2008 - 06:41 PM

By Brad Kelly

TORONTO -- Adam van Koeverden carried the flag out of the Olympic Games in Athens four years ago, and he will carry it right back into the National Stadium in Beijing on Aug. 8

The Oakville resident was officially introduced as the flag bearer for the Canadian Olympic team that will compete at the Games of the XXIX Olympiad during a press conference in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s a tremendous honour and privilege to march in and lead the entire Canadian team,” said van Koeverden, who makes a habit of being first in his sport of kayak, and will be the first face people will see at the opening ceremonies when Canadian athletes march in.

“Everyone will be wearing the Maple Leaf. I just get to carry the flag. When we walk in there will be 75,000 people there and millions watching at home and I will be representing Canada for all Canadians.”

The 26-year-old was given the news of his selection as flag bearer last week, when former Olympic diver Sylvie Bernier, Canada’s Chef de Mission for the 2008 Olympic Games, made the drive from Montreal to Ottawa where van Koeverden was training to deliver the news.

“Just to see the look on his face made the trip worthwhile,” she said.

Despite his lofty credentials, van Koeverden was surprised that he was selected to carry the flag.

“It came as a big surprise,” he admitted. “There are a lot of good candidates. Having already been a flag bearer I thought I would be a darkhorse,” to be selected again so soon.

The first go-round at the Olympics four years ago in Athens was a memorable experience for van Koeverden. He made his first trip to the medal podium in the K-1 1,000m with a bronze medal performance, bettering that a day later in the K-1 500m sprint where he won gold. It was the first time a Canadian athlete had won two medals in the same Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta when sprinter Donovan Bailey and cyclist Clara Hughes earned two medals each.

His Olympic performance earned van Koeverden the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year.

The sprint kayaker has continued his success on the water, even escalating it the past four years. He has dominated the World Cup circuit, winning the overall title from 2004 through 2007. In that span, he has won 21 World Cup gold medals, including five this year. When he isn’t competing, van Koeverden is an ambassador for the humanitarian group Right to Play, which helps disadvantaged youth with sport and activity.

Beijing will also mark the first time he has attended an opening ceremonies, having watched four years ago on a TV in France where his team was stationed for a training camp before leaving for Athens. He questioned why the kayak team wasn’t there, and was told by his coach not to worry about it, he could make up for it by carrying the flag at the closing ceremonies.

How prophetic.

“It will be a great way to kick things off and remind me why I am there,” said van Koeverden, noting that he doesn’t compete until the 10th day of the Games, so attending the ceremonies won’t affect his training.

“I’m really excited to see the fireworks,” he joked. “I haven’t been to the opening ceremonies before, so I’m excited to see what that’s all about.”

The day also marked the announcement of the entire Canadian team. The 331 athletes that will represent Canada is an increase over the 265 who competed in Athens. The increase is attributed to team sports, where Canada will be represented by men’s baseball, men’s water polo, women’s softball, men’s field hockey and women’s soccer. Only the baseball, water polo and softball teams qualified in Athens four years ago.