Karen Cockburn named Canada's closing flag-bearer

Opinion

Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

I am of the mindset the Olympics today should reflect the sports of the Greco-Roman era, perhaps it is just me, but trampoline jumping, much like other "filler sports" are so much fluff, when trying to fill a venue and milk it for as long as possible.

What's next on the Olympic agenda? Synchronized Badminton? Hot Dog Eating Contests? Freestyle Square Dance Voguing?  Rapper Contests?

http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=cba44809-211b-406f-b455-c6bc7715b90d (Photo Inset)CREDIT: Reuters Karen Cockburn with her silver medal.

She'll carry the flag for Canada at the closing ceremonies.

Karen Cockburn named Canada's closing flag-bearer

By Vicki Hall Canwest News Service

Saturday, August 23, 2008

BEIJING - Perhaps it's fitting that Canada selected a trampolinist to carry its flag at the closing ceremonies of the Beijing Games.

Especially at an Olympics in which Canada bounced back at the halfway mark, thanks, in part, to Karen Cockburn. The 27-year-old from Toronto won silver on women's trampoline to capture her third straight medal in the Olympic Games.

Cockburn won bronze at the 2000 Sydney Games and captured her first silver four years later in Athens.

She helped Canada roar to respectability in the medal standings after failing to win a single medal during the first week of competition.