Marek Twardowski is chosen as the flag bearer for Poland

(BEIJING, July 16) -- The Polish Olympic Committee (PKOL: Polski Komitet Olimpijski) chose flatwater kayaker Marek Twardowski as their flag bearer for the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony on July 10.

The 28-year-old kayaker and his partner Adam Wysocki competed in K2 500-meter finals in Sydney and Athens, placing 5th and 4th respectively. Twardowski is one of the world's leading K1 paddlers, having won the K1 500-meter world championship 2006. In total he has collected 20 European and world championship medals.

Although he has never won an Olympic medal, Twardowski is one of Poland's medal hopefuls in this year's Beijing Games.