Lauren Jackson to be Australia’s 2012 Olympics flag bearer
Columnist By Ryan O'Connell, 27 Jul 2012 Ryan O'Connell is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- 2012 London Olympics, Lauren Jackson
Widely regarded as the best female basketball player on the planet, Lauren Jackson has been chosen to carry the Australian flag at the 2012 London Olympics.
Though somewhat a surprise choice, Jackson’s credentials are extremely impressive.
Her achievements in the world’s premier female basketball competition, the WNBA, include:
- Championship winner – 2004, 2010
- MVP – 2003, 2007, 2010
- Finals Series MVP – 2010
- All-WNBA First Team – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010
- All-Star – 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
- Defensive Player of the Year – 2007
- ESPN’s Best WNBA Player (ESPY) – 2004, 2005, 2008
- WNBA’s All-Decade Team
- 1st Overall Pick in the 2001 draft
- Holds the record for most points in a game with 47
In Australia’s WNBL, generally regarded as the second best competition in the world, she’s won a championship 5 times, been awarded the MVP trophy 3 times, and made the All Star team 5 times.
At international level, she’s led the Opals to 3 silver medals (2000, 2004, 2008), losing to the USA in each gold medal game.
Despite the Opals winning the World Championships in 2006, defeating Russia in the final - who shockingly upset America in the semi-finals – knocking the Yanks off for the Olympic gold medal is the one gap in her distinguished career.
It remains Jackson’s burning desire, and her childhood dream, but so far the American’s have resolutely stood in her way. At these Olympics, she‘ll get possibly her last chance to rectify that situation.
And there can be no better way to start that campaign than by proudly leading her nation into the opening ceremony.
Ryan is an ex-representative basketballer who shot too much, and a (very) medium pace bowler. He's been with The Roar as an expert since February 2011, has written for the Seven Network and NBA Down Under, and been a regular on ABC radio. Ryan tweets from @RyanOak.
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- 2012 London Olympics, Lauren Jackson
July 27th 2012 @ 10:09am
Mango Jack said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:09am | Report comment
I have nothing against Lauren Jackson, she seems a decent person and is a worthy selection, but I would have preferred the role go to an athlete representing a “core” olympic sport. Leisel Jones, Anna Meares or Stuart O’Grady would have been my preferred choices. The premier competition in basketball is the US domestic comp. For swimming and womens cycling, it is the Olympics. Also, we have already had a basketballer carry the flag – Andrew Gaze. In any case, are we making too much of this role? I can’t remember there being such a fuss about it at previous games. Can anyone list the previous 10 flag bearers, without reference to Google? Once the games begin, this will all become insignificant.
July 27th 2012 @ 4:24pm
Roger the Alien said | July 27th 2012 @ 4:24pm | Report comment
I agree: her core activity is American club basketball. Lauren Jackson, to her credit, has always made herself available for Australia at world championships and olympics, which is more than you can say for Humphrey Bogut. However, she has not yet won a gold medal, so the flag should have gone to Leisl Jones.
July 28th 2012 @ 10:48am
Damo said | July 28th 2012 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Bogut has only ever missed representing Australia because he’s been inured.
July 27th 2012 @ 10:34am
tonysalerno said | July 27th 2012 @ 10:34am | Report comment
Lauren Jackson is arguably the greatest Australian female athlete of the modern era. This was a decision based on common sense given the Opals legend has been ‘flying the Australian flag’ for quite a while now. A fitting accolade for one of Australia’s best sportswomen.
July 27th 2012 @ 11:16am
Hoy said | July 27th 2012 @ 11:16am | Report comment
Happy for Lauren Jackson, and she is deserving of the role, there can’t be any doubt…
BUT… that goose Cooke has tainted this whole thing. Now there will always be “Would she have gotten it had it not been for Cooke?” As I said, happy for her to get the flag. She has been at the pinnacle of her sport for a long time, but it just annoys me when these people with agendas come out. It ruins things for the puritans.
The minute someone says “It should be a X Y Z” you are damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.
July 27th 2012 @ 12:22pm
Mark Young said | July 27th 2012 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Could not be happier with this decision.
She has always made the Opals a high priority in her career.
And is a great sportswoman and champion athlete.
How is right about Natalie Cook’s comment spoiling it a bit, she was right out of line to say that.
July 27th 2012 @ 3:33pm
Australian Rules said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
Agree re Jackson’s committment to national duties Mark…and to Cook looking like a dill in the aftermath of her ill-considered rant.
July 27th 2012 @ 1:54pm
B.A Sports said | July 27th 2012 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Really happy for Lauren. She has always come across as a really good person, and always come back to play and support the local league.
There were several worthy potential recipients, some named above (not sure if O’Grady was ever an option though, does he not have to race the next day?). But as someone quiped on radio this morning, we know our flag will be flying highest when it enters the Olympic arena with Lauren carrying it.
July 27th 2012 @ 2:44pm
TJ said | July 27th 2012 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Lauren Jackson and Penny Taylor (who’s absence is probably going to prevent the Opals from seriously challenging the US) are two modern greats of Australian sport, be it male or female. Just look at their records. Their status and awareness in Australian sport should be much higher, so this is a great nod, whether or not you think another athlete deserved to carry the flag.
July 27th 2012 @ 2:53pm
Cameron Larkin said | July 27th 2012 @ 2:53pm | Report comment
They got it right!
July 27th 2012 @ 3:10pm
mickh said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Great decision, well done Lauren
July 27th 2012 @ 3:48pm
SE Informer said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:48pm | Report comment
Lauren Jackson impressed me as being truely humbled by the honour of leading the Aussie team into the games. She has been a stawart for women’s basketball and has an impeccable record. I hope that in her retirement after the games she will bring home a gold medal. She is certainly worthy of it.
July 27th 2012 @ 3:51pm
sheek said | July 27th 2012 @ 3:51pm | Report comment
Mango Jack,
The selection of the flag-bearer has always created a stir, at least in the past 40-odd years. It’s a huge honour. It’s difficult for cyclists & swimmers to be chosen for the very practical reason many of them are competing the following day.
Stuart O’Grady for example is competing in the road race the next day. It would be totally unfair to expect him to carry the flag, be part of the opening ceremony which drags on for about 6 hours, & be fresh the next morning. Usually many athletes competing the following day skip the opening ceremony, & watch it on TV.
Although Lauren Jackson wasn’t my first choice, she’s still very deserving in my humble opinion. We’re lucky in that we could have given the flag easily to half a dozen or more athletes. Congrats Lauren…..