Canada’s Olympic closing ceremony flag-bearer is Christine Sinclair

Canada has chosen its flag-bearer for Sunday's closing ceremony at the London 2012 Olympics: Christine Sinclair.

The choice was announced Sunday morning at a press conference in London that featured Canadian Olympic committee president Marcel Aubut, as well as chef de mission Mark Tewksbury.

[Slideshow: Christine Sinclair at the 2012 London Olympics]

Tewksbury said he "called her last night and she was at the athletics." But Sinclair, never far from controversy at the Olympics had to make a small confession. "I broke another rule," she said. "I called my mom" after she received the news from Tewksbury.

Sinclair was the popular choice, as much for her outspoken criticism of FIFA and its officials as for her heroic three-goal effort against the USA in the women's soccer semifinals last Monday,which Canada lost 4-3 in extra time. Sinclair led the women's tournament in goalscoring and led Canada to the bronze medal, its first medal in a team sport since 1936.

"This is by far greatest honour I've ever had in my entire sporting career,"Sinclair said Sunday.

It's been moving to witness connection this team has. Every single place we went, we felt support in the village and back home. The motto "Inspire a generation" is perfect."

[More Eh Game: The 10 stars from the London 2012 Olympics]

Sinclair's selection is likely ruffle a few brows. She was chosen over Rosie MacLennan, Canada's only gold medalist at these Games, as well as over veteran Olympians Tonya Verbeek and Emilie Heymans. But ever since the controversial finish to the women's semifinal last week,when Sinclair went public in defence of her team, the nation seemed to rally around her. Canada's Olympic performance took on a different face, and a sense of urgency for a country whose games were lacking a unifying theme.

And there's no doubt in Sinclair's mind that the Canadian women's soccer team had an impact at the Olympics. "Having moms come up to me and say their daughters want to sign up for soccer from watching you ... That's what it's all about," Sinclair said during the press conference.

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