Hamlin, the first American female luger to medal at the Olympics, is leading a 244-member group of U.S. athletes, but at least one -- speedskater Shani Davis -- disagreed with the choice.
Hamlin and Davis tied for the honor of carrying the flag, and a coin flip decided the winner, CBS Sports reported. However, Davis tweeted the process was unfair and that "Team USA dishonorably tossed a coin." He also used the hashtag #BlackHistoryMonth2018 and said he could wait until 2022 to carry the flag.
I am an American and when I won the 1000m in 2010 I became the first American to 2-peat in that event. @TeamUSA dishonorably tossed a coin to decide its 2018 flag bearer. No problem. I can wait until 2022. #BlackHistoryMonth2018 #PyeongChang2018 pic.twitter.com/dsmTtNkhJs
— Shani Davis (@ShaniDavis) February 8, 2018
Hamlin and Davis were among eight nominees to carry the American flag, CBS Sports reported. The voting occurred Wednesday night.
Davis, a four-time Olympic medalist, has won two gold medals and two silvers. He has appeared in five different Winter Olympics.
"It was a pretty big shock," Hamlin said of her selection, NBC Olympics reported. "But it is an honor and a privilege to be recognized by all of Team USA."
Credit: Ryan Pierse
Credit: Ryan Pierse
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