August 5, 2016 By: Sahr Morris Jr in Rio de Jenerio
Sierra Leone’s 18-year-old swimmer, Bunturabie Jalloh, will be the country’s flag bearer in today’s opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics Games at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil.
The youngster, who will compete in the 50 metres sprint swimming event in this year’s games, will became the first teenager to carry the trio colours of Sierra Leone in an Olympic Games.
Jalloh was chosen ahead of America-based sprinter, Hafsatu Kamara, after pulling majority of votes, including the Sports Minister.
The Olympic first timer will become the second female athlete to carry the country’s flag in successive Olympic Games, after retired long jumper Ola Sesay, who did similar assignment during the last Games in London 2012.
“I’m very so humbled and proud to lead my country into the opening ceremony. I look forward to see what the ceremony will look like,” Jalloh said.While preparing to compete in the Games, the teenager is also getting ready for her West Africa Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination after the Olympics.
This will mark Jalloh’s fourth international competition for Sierra Leone after she represented the country in the 2015 World Championship, All Africa Games in Congo, Brazzaville, and also at this year’s 5th Africa Zone II championship in Dakar, Senegal. She was part of the team that won bronze medals in the 4×200 Freestyle and 4×100 Freestyle.