London Games: Korzits likely to be Israel's flag bearer
Windsurfer has best chances of being selected to carry national flag at Olympic opening ceremony; Israeli delegation slated to be smallest since 2000 Sydney Games
Three-times world champion Israeli windsurfer Lee Korzits is the likeliest candidate to carry the Israeli flag at the London Olympic Games opening ceremony on July 27.
Original favorite, gymnast Alex Shatilov, who has the biggest chances of winning a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, may not take part in the event as he need to train for his qualifying rounds, set for the day following the opening ceremony.
Korzits with Israeli flag (Photo: Getty Images)
Olympic medalist judoka Arik Zeevi, who has participated in four sets of Olympic games, has already carried the flag at the 2004 Athens Games. It is not customary to bestow the honor on the same athlete twice.
Korzits' main "competitor" is windsurfer Shahar Tzuberi. However, the fact that the London Games mark 20 years since judoka Yael Arad won Israel's first Olympic medal places Korzits at an advantage.
Members of Israel's Olympic Committee will convene Wednesday to decide whether three Israeli athletes, who failed to meet tough Israeli standards, will take part in the Olympic Games.
The Israeli delegation is slated to be the smallest since the 2000 Sydney Games and will number no more than 35 athletes.
