As the London 2012 Olympic Games come to a close, soccer star Christine Sinclair has been named Canada’s flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony in London’s Olympic Stadium. This is a huge honour and I wish I could have my teammates right here with me,” said Sinclair. “We want the next generation of young girls to dream of being in the Olympics and getting a medal around their necks.

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London - August 12, 2012 - As the London 2012 Olympic Games come to a close, soccer star Christine Sinclair has been named Canada’s flag bearer for the Closing Ceremony in London’s Olympic Stadium.

“This is a huge honour and I wish I could have my teammates right here with me,” said Sinclair. “We want the next generation of young girls to dream of being in the Olympics and getting a medal around their necks. If we can instil in them just the belief that this can happen, then we have done our jobs.”

One of the greatest soccer players of all time, Sinclair led the Canadian women’s soccer team to a bronze medal in London, notching a tournament-best six goals, including three in the hotly-contested semi-final match against the United States.

Sinclair carried the flag into the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. She is tied for the second most career goals of all time among women’s soccer players.

The Canadian Olympic Team is currently sitting just outside its goal of 12th place in total medal count, with 18 medals (1 gold, 5 silver, 12 bronze). Those 18 medals matches the Canadian Olympic Team’s output from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, where Canada placed 14th in total medals.

“We have so much to celebrate as we bring these wonderful London 2012 Olympic Games to a close", said 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Mark Tewksbury "Every medal has a story and you cannot underestimate the power and the impact that each and every one has had. We are so proud to honour, not only our medallists, but all members of the Canadian Olympic Team.”

“This Team inspired the whole country with their performance here in London,” said 2012 Canadian Olympic Team Assistant Chef de Mission Sylvie Bernier. “We have seen what our athletes can do on the field of play. Now they return to their communities to share their passion for sport and to inspire thousands to live the joy of being active.

“The Team has felt the incredible support, all the way from Canada to London,” said Canadian Olympic Committee President Marcel Aubut. “We will continue to do more for our athletes. The first thing we think about when we wake up in the morning and the last thing we think about when we go to sleep is what more can we do for our athletes?”