The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
■ Luge competitor Hamlin honored to carry flag,
PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA Tickets to the open— ing ceremony of any Olympics can be costly, and Erin Hamlin’s parents often wonder if it’s a worthwhile pur- chase. This time, there’s no ques- tion.
Hamlin’s final Olympics will start with her having the distinction of carrying the American flag into today’s official start of the Pyeong- chang Games, after winning a vote held by her fellow Team USA athletes. She is the fourth member of the USA Luge team to carry the flag into an opening, and what- ever Ron and Eileen Hamlin spent for their seats will be worth be that “They’re I’m “I really sure decision,” think every glad my really they’re that penny. brothers Hamlin they pumped. going made said. will to be.
ing the We’ve Olympics grown up and watch- we’re always be carrying like, ‘Who’s the flag?’ going And to to is thrilled because insane.” Hamlin’s actually of by what teammates the be that news, it will person mean were both for for her and what it means luge. “I was so happy for her,” U.S. doubles Olympian Jayson Terdiman said. “It’s one of the coolest things . ... I couldn’t wait before, but now I can’t wait even more. Not just does Erin get to hold that flag, but USA Luge gets to hold that flag. It’s so cool. It’s a great honor for our small sport. Great honor for her. Super happy.”
Hamlin is a four-time Olympian, a winner of a bronze medal at the 2014 Sochi Games, a two-time world champion and a win- ner of 23 World Cup med- als. But even with that sort of resume, Hamlin — who is retiring after the Olympics, ending a two-decade career on her sled — never thought she would be the pick.
In December, when asked in an interview with The Associated Press if she thought it would be possi- ble, Hamlin giggled.
me, that always seems to be a really, really big-name person,” Hamlin said at the time.
Apparently, that’s who the native of tiny Remsen, New York, has become, at least in the U.S. Olympic community.
Hamlin learned of the voting result Wednesday night. She got a text from Alan Ashley, the chef de mission for Team USA, requesting her to call back as soon as she could. Hamlin wondered what had gone wrong and braced herself for some sort of bad news as she dialed his number. “He told me and I was like, ‘Wait, officially?’” Hamlin said, still in disbelief. She then called her family, who were about to start their long flight to South Korea. Her mother started crying, which was no surprise. Her brother didn’t exactly put her at ease when he offered this sage piece of advice — don’t drop the flag. “The nerves will be flying for sure,” Hamlin said. “Put me at the top of the track, that’s my happy place.”