Grimmette will be flagbearer for U.S.

VANCOUVER (NBC) -- After nearly missing the cut for the 2010 Olympic squad upon struggling during this season's World Cup, Muskegon native Mark Grimmette, a five-time Olympian who competes in luge, has been named the American flagbearer for Friday's Opening Ceremony at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

"I'm still shaking," Grimmette told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "I was incredibly surprised when Brian told me, and I'm still trying to process it all. To be the person leading the U.S. team into the opening ceremony is just such a great honor."

Grimmette and doubles partner Brian Martin are the most successful luge athletes in U.S. history. They have won two Olympic and six world championship medals, as well as three overall World Cup titles.

The Lake Placid resident first came to the sport when a luge run was built across the street from his childhood home in Muskegon. The top of the track at Muskegon State Park is still referred to as Grimmette Peak.

The marching members of the participating nations will be seated in BC Place until the parade begins. They will march into the stadium in alphabetical order according to the language of the host city, in this case English. The only two exceptions will be Greece, which, by tradition, will enter first, and Canada, which, as host, will enter last. Canadian speed skater Clara Hughes, who is the only Olympic athlete ever to win multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter Games, will carry the host country's flag.

Each contingent, dressed in its official uniform, will be preceded by a shield bearing the country's name and will be accompanied by its national flag. Only those athletes participating in the Games, and no more than six officials, are permitted to march. Protocol says that marchers are forbidden to carry cameras or flags; this rule, though, is routinely ignored.

Competitors will salute the Canadian leader and the IOC president by turning their heads toward their box as they pass by.

After completing its march, each delegation proceeds to reserved seats to watch the ceremony, with the exception of flag bearers, who remain on the field.

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