Ginobili chosen as Argentina flagbearer

(BEIJING, July 3) -- South America basketball icon Manu Ginobili has been selected as the flagbearer for Argentina at the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Games.

The veteran San Antonio Spurs guard was the most valuable player of the Olympics four years ago after leading Argentina to the gold medal.

Ginobili, however, was to fly to San Antonio on Wednesday to have an MRI on his ankle which he hurt during the NBA play-offs.

The player announced on June 19 that the results of the exam would determine if he could play for Argentina this summer.

A statement on the Argentina Basketball Federation website said: "Cristina Fernandez, president of the nation, will on Friday hand the Argentinian flag to basketball player Emanuel Ginobili, who has been selected as the flagbearer for his country at the Olympic Games in Beijing.

"Manu Ginobili will travel today to San Antonio where he will have an MRI on his left ankle and on Thursday will return to Argentina for this ceremony.

"The best basketball Argentinian player in the history was chosen by the bosses of the delegations in the Argentinian Olympic Committee headquarters."

There was no mention of a contingency plan should Ginobili decide not to play because of the injury.

Argentina defeated Team USA in the semi-finals at Athens before thumping Italy in the final to capture the gold medal.

(Credit: FIBA. Click here for further information.)