LONDON – WNBA star Lauren Jackson will carry the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympics.
Australia's delegation leader Nick Green called Jackson the "perfect choice."
"Jackson is an inspiration to all our team," he said Thursday, on the eve of the opening of the games. "There is no one better to lead our team as we attempt to mix it with the superpowers of sport here in London."
Jackson helped the Australians win the silver medal at the last three Olympics, finishing second to the United States in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Jackson, a three-time MVP in the WNBA, has won two WNBA titles and a world championship with Australia.
She decided not to play for the Seattle Storm for the first three months of the WNBA season so she can concentrate on the Olympics.
The 31-year-old Jackson made her debut on the national team at 17 and made her Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games.
"I have watched her play for many years," Green said. "She has a never say die attitude, a trait that I admire very much."
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