Chu to carry U.S. flag at closing ceremony

Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) – Julie Chu won’t walk away from the Sochi Olympics with a gold medal but she will carry another symbol when the Winter Games come to a close.

The four-time Olympian was selected by Team USA members to carry the United States flag at Sunday’s closing ceremony, the United States Olympic Committee announced Friday.

Chu is a 31-year-old forward on the women’s ice hockey team, which fell to Canada in overtime Thursday in a thrilling — and heartbreaking for the U.S. — gold medal game.

It was Chu’s third Olympic silver medal. She also has a bronze.

“I’m completely humbled and kind of in shock; I never imagined that this would happen, especially knowing how strong the U.S. delegation is,” Chu said in a statement released by the USOC.

“Our team has so many inspiring athletes who I’ve gotten a chance to root for. This is special and I don’t take it lightly.”

Chu is the second ice hockey player to serve as U.S. flag bearer after Cammi Granato, who was chosen for the honor in 1998 after leading the U.S. to the first Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.

Nordic combined athlete Todd Lodwick was the U.S. flag bearer at the opening ceremony on Feb. 7.

Categorized in: Olympics