Ian Millar to be nominated to carry Canadian flag at Olympics
Eight-time Olympian Ian Millar will be nominated to carry the Canadian flag at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games in August.
Equine Canada will put the 61-year-old’s name forward after the Canadian show-jumping team is announced later this month, says equestrian Olympic team leader, Mike Gallagher.
A resident of Perth, Ont., Millar will tie the world record for most Olympic appearances if he competes in Beijing. The current record is held by Austrian sailor and two-time Olympic silver medallist, Hubert Raudaschl.
"We wanted to nominate Ian in recognition of his world-record nine Olympic appearances," said Gallagher. "This will be his ninth Olympic appearance on eight different horses. The fact that he’s done this on so many different horses, that shows the superb horsemanship and talent that he has. His consistency speaks volumes."
A committee within the Canadian Olympic Committee will choose Canada’s flag bearer for the Olympic Games, an announcement expected to come in July.
And while the Canadian Olympic equestrian team has not yet been announced, Gallagher says barring injury, Millar’s inclusion is a sure thing.
It would mark a first for Millar if he’s selected as Canada’s Olympic flag bearer.
The world’s number one ranked show jumper in 1987 and 1989, Millar and Big Ben became the first-ever rider and horse team to win back-to-back World Cups.
Those who know little of equestrian often know the names Ian Millar and Big Ben, another reason Gallagher believes Millar makes a good choice as Olympic flag bearer, even though he has never won an Olympic medal. He raised the profile of the sport in Canada.
"I think while an Olympic medal has eluded him up to this point, and hopefully Hong Kong will change that, he is also a world champion on two separate occasions and has won world championship classes on several occasions," Gallagher said.
"He holds numerous records for the numbers of wins in Olympic level competitions. This is a guy that’s a true world champion."
Millar and his horse, In Style, placed fourth at the 2007 Pan American Games and were part of a silver medal Canadian team.