Chilean President Michelle Bachelet gave on Monday the national flag to the Olympic Committee of Chile (COCh), which will be used by the sports delegation during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008.

The flag was received by the president of the COCh Neven Ilic during an ceremony where Bachelet called the Chilean contenders to "honorably represent our nation".

"As the President of Chile I wish you the best and I want to give this flag which represents the support and trust of all our fellow citizens," Bachelet said.

"We know this flag will be in good hands, in the hands of Fernando Gonzalez, and the heart of each one of our sportsmen, that it is where it will sound more proud than ever," Bachelet said.

Bachelet requested the 24 Chilean sportsmen to make their best effort in order to stand in the podium like it was done by other Chileans in other competitions.

Tennis player Fernando Gonzalez will be the flag bearer. He won a medal at the Olympics of Athens 2004.

Meanwhile, Ilic said that "(Chile) can have results according to the work and dedication that the sportsmen have shown to reach the Olympic Games of Beijing."

(Xinhua News Agency August 5, 2008)