Canada's kayak king bristled a little when it was suggested some might be surprised an athlete from a fringe sport was carrying the maple leaf at the front of the pack when the Olympics open in two weeks.

But Adam van Koeverden, of Oakville, didn't need to remind anyone the Canoe/Kayak Canada team is the nation's strongest unit entering the Beijing Games. And his gold and bronze in Athens four years ago, plus a world title and 21 World Cup medals since the 2004 Olympics is well-known.

He was named as flag-bearer yesterday for the opening ceremonies, charged with leading many of Canada's 331 athletes around Beijing's main stadium.

A few moments later he took the opportunity to point out some history, that his sport is so purely Canadian, the Can that identifies some events does not stand for canoe, it represents Canada.

"They named the sport after the country. Canoe/kayak has its roots in Canada and you could even say Canada has its roots in canoe/kayak. There wouldn't be a country if it wasn't for the canoe to get around, the voyageurs and the beaver-pelt trade."

Van Koeverden started reading about those early paddlers recently and was amazed at their resilience.

"They smoked pipes and had to keep a stroke rate of 60 strokes a minute, a high rate, for eight to 12 hours a day. And they'd go from north of Montreal to where Thunder Bay is now. That's as much as I'd paddle in a year. I don't think I'd make it if I had to paddle on those lakes."

So, he says, there's a kinship there that has carried through.

"It's cool that our people in our sport have been chosen three times to carry the flag, (Caroline Brunet) in 2000 and now me."

Van Koeverden toted the nation's standard in Athens, too, in closing ceremonies that followed his breakthrough performance.

When he steps out with the Canadian contingent in Beijing, he will also be celebrating his vision of Canada.

"It's a vast, beautiful country that a lot of people came to for a new start. My parents are from Europe, Hungary and Holland, and I'm a first-generation Canadian. There's people from all around the world and I love that diversity. If you look at our Canadian team as we walk into the stadium, you'll recognize that diversity right away."

And contrary to some takes, that carrying the flag is some kind of burden, he said it's not just an honour, but rather than some kind of jinx or stressful experience, "stepping out in front of 75,000 screaming people with your team can give you a competitive kick."

Archer Crispin Duenas, of Toronto, said he couldn't imagine any Canadian athlete questioning van Koeverden as flag-bearer.

"I've known Adam for about a year after a training camp for prospective Olympians. He's perfect for the role. He's funny, quick and witty and really represents Canada well. What he has done competitively and the training programs of Canoe/Kayak Canada is infectious for other athletes."

Canadian Olympic Committee CEO Chris Rudge said van Koeverden was humble in claiming he was simply walking at the front of the Canadian team.

"We know how many times he's been at the front of the podium."

Rudge, chef de mission Sylvie Bernier and even the kayaker were grilled on Chinese politics, human rights and environmental concerns. Van Koeverden said most of that will disappear once competitive starts.

"There's really no stories before the Olympics. People are training and things are being prepared, there's no big-ticket item. As soon as the opening ceremonies are over, there's a lot of big ticket items for the sports pages."

Bernier wouldn't offer a medal prediction but said Canada's aim was to crack the top 16 medal winners. Canada was 19th in Athens in 2004, 17th in Sydney in 2000 and 11th in Atlanta in 1996.

jkernaghan@thespec.com

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