Equestrian to carry Brazil's flag at London Games

SAO PAULO (AP) - Olympic equestrian champion Rodrigo Pessoa will be Brazil's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony for the London Games.

Pessoa will be participating in his sixth Olympics and trying to win his fourth medal. He won individual gold in Athens in 2004 and bronzes in the team event in Sydney in 2000 and Atlanta in 1996.

The 39-year-old Pessoa said he was "very moved'' and "honored'' when he received the news, calling it a "very special moment'' in his career.

Brazilian Olympic Committee president Carlos Nuzman said Friday that "Rodrigo Pessoa is an athlete who represents the Olympic values very well. His career is full of glory and is an inspiration to all Brazilian athletes.''

Pessoa was 19 when he made his Olympic debut at the 1992 Barcelona Games.