Olympic Champion Gymnast to Carry Flag

Thursday, August 07, 2008 By Amanda Turner The Opening Ceremonies at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. While it's rumored Chinese legend Li Ning may light the Olympic torch at the end of Friday's Opening Ceremonies in Beijing, another former gymnast is sure to be seen much earlier. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Albert Azaryan, 79, will carry the flag for Armenia in the parade of nations. There are 25 Armenian athletes in Beijing. Inventor of the "Olympic" cross on rings, Azaryan won the gold medal on the event at the 1956 and 1960 Games, and was a member of the Soviet Union's gold medal-winning team in 1956. He is director of the Yerevan School of Gymnastics. His son, Eduard Azaryan, was a 1980 Olympic gold medalist with the Soviet team. Gymnasts traditionally do not march in the Olympic Opening Ceremonies. Competition... [read full story]