Johannesburg - Swimmer Cameron van der Burgh will replace Caster Semenya as South Africa's flag bearer at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Sunday.
South Africa's Olympic Committee announced on Friday that Van der Burgh would have the honor after world champion runner Semenya was ruled out of the New Delhi event with injury.
SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy said "carrying one's country's flag at an opening ceremony at an event as prestigious as this is a huge honor. Cameron has fully deserved this."
Gold medal hope Van der Burgh holds world records in the 50m breaststroke, both short course and long course, and the long course 100m breaststroke.
Reddy added "he is hardworking, a good ambassador for our country."
South Africa's Olympic Committee announced on Friday that Van der Burgh would have the honor after world champion runner Semenya was ruled out of the New Delhi event with injury.
SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy said "carrying one's country's flag at an opening ceremony at an event as prestigious as this is a huge honor. Cameron has fully deserved this."
Gold medal hope Van der Burgh holds world records in the 50m breaststroke, both short course and long course, and the long course 100m breaststroke.
Reddy added "he is hardworking, a good ambassador for our country."