Ilias Iliades to be Greek flag bearer at Beijing Games

(BEIJING, July 5) -- Ilias Iliades, Athens Olympic gold medalist in Men's Judo, was voted to be the Greek flag bearer for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at an Executive Committee meeting of the Hellenic Olympic Committee on July 1.

As Greece is traditionally the first nation to enter the Olympic Stadium at the start of every Olympiad, Iliades will be the first athlete to appear at the Bird's Nest during the opening ceremony on August 8. "It is a great honor for me to enter the Olympic Stadium in Beijing first while holding the Greek flag, representing not only Greek judo but all of Greece," he said.

"I want to repay my country, Greece, by winning a medal in Beijing as well. I want the national anthem of Greece to be heard on August 13 at the judo venue. My training will continue up until the last day before the competition so that I am absolutely ready," he added.