Olympics: Rafa receives the Spanish flag
In a ceremony at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympics committee today, Rafa was presented with the Spanish flag he will carry into the 2012 Olympics opening ceremony today. The Spanish station rtve has posted a video of the complete ceremony.
Here’s a bit of an interview/presser – El título olímpico es el más difícil:
And a short report on the ceremony from rtve.
Rafa posted a photo and talked about the honor on Facebook.
Ya tengo en mis manos la bandera que portare en Londres, acompañado por otros deportistas que la llevaron Jaime Berenguer, Enrique Rodríguez, Herminio Mernéndez y Alejandro Abascal. Gracias a Alejandro Blanco y José Ignacio Wert por incluirme entre los elegidos :)
I have the flag that I’ll carry in London, accompanied with other last standard-bearer Jaime Berenguer, Enrique Rodríguez, Herminio Mernéndez and Alejandro Abascal. Thanks to Alejandro Blanco and José Ignacio Wert for including me among the chosen :)
Some photos:
Also, Inés has uploaded screen grabs from the event to our Facebook page.
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Just watched the Spanish tv video of the complete ceremony – can feel Rafa’s heart bursting with pride. Don’t miss the Rafa montage set to Louis Armstrong’s Its a Wonderful World aprx 17:00 – left me sobbing like a baby.
Vamos Rafa! You make your country and people all around the world so proud to cheer for you.
Rafa himself looked a little teary eyed after watching the montage. Yeah that’s the best part of the ceremony, awesome song, awesome memories… Thank you Miri!!!
I watched it, too. Got teary-eyed. So proud of this incredible young man. :)
Also watched the entire presentation online,loved it! Rafa looked great in the jeans,dark jacket and white shirt!!
Loved the video and the pictures, and that montage bit, I kept going back to watch it over and over. Rafa, I hope your knees are responding well as I just can’t wait to (hopefully) watch you play again.
Lovely; but Rafalito had better bring a brollie. And a canoe. He will need them if the British summer continues as it has been so far. Just as well he can swim and fish very well. Best of luck Rafa.
Oh Keith how right you are….. he may need an ark too!
Are those blue suede shoes ?
I have read that Rafa seemed to have a lazy eye. I have never really noticed it before, but in pics 1 & 2, his eyes don’t seem to be looking at exact same direction..hehe. So which one is the lazy eye? It is his right eye? He is still gorgeous though no matter what! Good luck Rafa!!!
Hi Amy! I’ve noticed the lazy eye many times! I think it’s the left.
Loved the vid of the ceremony. “It’s a Wonderful World” is my hubby and my song so I always love hearing it – and set to Rafa was a lovely choice. I can’t wait to see him carrying his country’s flag and playing his heart out in London.
The Spanish uniform is…alot of red and yellow. I actually like the design on the jacket. I’m sure it’ll be better than whatever RL has for the U.S. athletes. I’m always embarrassed by the US outfits (cowboy hats etc)
The hair, Rafa… The HAIR! *shudders* It breaks my heart to see him look like Jürgen Klinsmann a la 1990 World Cup…
Usually I’m on your wavelength, CC, but I like it! Oh well, when you’re alone with him you can mess it up, wash it, or do whatever your heart desires :)
Indeed CC, the hair is ok, not the best but ok. Besides we know how it really is, curly and unruly and oh sooo lovely (I don’t understand those that think his hair is too curly, the curlier it becomes, the better for me!). You can ruffle it, run your fingers through it …you fill in the blanks. Rafa is really lovely here, as always.
Got to say I love the longer hair too girls.
So proud of Rafa!! He’ll be the handsomest and sweetest flag carrier there. But would it have killed him to wear a tie and dress shoes?
Oh my, the montage with Louis Armstrong’s song made me cry. Oh how I love this boy (man). God please keep him healthy so I can at least have the joy of watching him compete. Vamos abanderado!
He’s so beautiful inside and out…what’s not to love about him?
Wonderful ceremony and the montage brought tears to my eyes. Oh how we will miss him when he retires. That’s why I tape his matches to put on dvd, so I can watch him forever. Anyway, how proud he is to represent Spain carrying the flag! He is beautiful- hair, clothes, shoes, whatever- it is Rafa being Rafa. Never change!
I wish I’d known Spanish. I wonder if anybody would be kind enough to do a brief translation of Rafa’s speech in the ceremony please?? I am just so curious of what he said to make him teary-eyed…
So,so,so proud of this awesome champion. U deserve this honour Rafa and I’m so glad you got it. Haapy to see you happy. So Proud of you!!
Love you, Rafa. Vamos for The Games.
I only noticed two things – his dimples :-) and the fact that when he was speaking for so long he did not have any notes to look at. Whatever he was saying was from the heart and very sincere. I agree with the rest of you – what is there not to love about this young man…. Good luck in London, Rafa :-)
What an awesome man this Rafa is.
Awesome! Great video! Although I’m still not used to Rafa being No3. When the lady said it it really hit me!
At this point, the rankings don’t even matter (to me)…if he is healthy and able to enjoy playing, that is the best.
Just been announced Rafa has pulled out of the olympics.