Alex Rose selected as flag bearer for Samoa

Video: Alex Rose selected as flag bearer for Samoa | #PacificAusSports - YouTube

Discus thrower Alex Rose has been selected as Samoa’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

The 29-year-old is one of 10 athletes set to represent Samoa at the Olympics.

Rose was born in Michigan, but represented Samoa at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where he qualified for the men’s discus competition.

Rose told the Australian government’s #PacificAusSports program he was honoured to represent Samoa and serve as the country’s flagbearer in the Opening Ceremony.

“I was overjoyed! The first thing I did was call my parents,” Rose said.

“My father, it really, truly meant a lot to him because clearly growing up in Samoa and the culture being so engrained inside of him, I think there’s a certain level of pride that every Samoan has for their country, and I can tell that he was very happy.”

“My goal is to not let my country down and support Samoa and represent them with pride.”

“I am just so happy, and I am so lucky and blessed to have the opportunity.”

“It doesn’t matter if the stands are full or if the stands are empty, just carrying that flag and just being able to walk around the stadium means everything to me.

Rose will go into the men’s discus competition as the seventh ranked athlete in the world this year, after achieving a personal best distance of 67.48 metres in May.

Rose was a gold medallist at the 2019 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, where he also earned silver in the shot put and hammer throw.

“I would like to tell the people of Samoa a big thank you for supporting me for all these years. It’s been a long winding ride leading up to these Olympics and I won’t let you down”