Jeroen Dubbeldam Chosen by Dutch Olympic Team to Carry Flag at Rio Opening Ceremonies

Jeroen Dubbeldam will ride SFN Zenith N.O.P. (pictured) in show jumping at the Rio Olympic Games.
Jeroen Dubbeldam will ride SFN Zenith N.O.P. (pictured) in show jumping at the Rio Olympic Games.
Jeroen Dubbeldam will ride SFN Zenith N.O.P. (pictured) in show jumping at the Rio Olympic Games.
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The Dutch Olympic Team has announced that show jumper Jeroen Dubbeldam will be the official flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic Games on Friday, August 5th.

Dubbeldam, who is already en route to Rio from his home in The Netherlands, said, “I consider it a great honor to represent Team Netherlands in this way. I am proud that I can walk on behalf of 242 athletes with our flag. At the Olympics, you stand for your country, for the whole Team NL.”

Maarten van der Heijden, technical director of the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation, was incredibly pleased that Dubbeldam was bestowed the honor of carrying the flag. “This is really great, a great honor and recognition for Jeroen in

“I am proud that I can walk on behalf of 242 athletes with our flag.”

the first place, but also especially for the equestrian sports,” he commented. “Jeroen will represent the Dutch delegation in this way for the sake of the whole world, and that is really amazing. We are enormously proud. Besides the fact that he is a great sportsman, Jeroen also shows tremendous commitment to society and new generations of talented athletes. That makes Jeroen an ambassador for the Dutch sport and equestrian sports in particular. ”

Dubbeldam hastily changed his schedule to arrive in Rio early when he learned the news that he had been selected to carry the flag in opening ceremonies. The current World and European Champion of show jumping will lead Dutch athletes representing 22 Olympic sports. Dutch dressage athletes will also march in opening ceremonies, but three day event riders will not, due to a rule that prevents athletes from marching if their competition begins within 48 hours of opening ceremonies.

Jeroen Dubbeldam will participate in show jumping at Deodoro Equestrian Complex beginning August 14th, with individual medals decided in the Show Jumping Final on August 19th. Go here for the complete schedule and to find out how you can watch the Olympics from anywhere in the world.

-Source: KNHS.nl