The Guatemalan flag was raised Wednesday at the Olympic Village in Beijing, where 12 Guatemalan sportsmen will compete.

The president of the Guatemalan Olympic Committe (COG) Fernando Beltranena, the official flag bearer Kevin Cordon (badminton), as well as Gisela Morales (swimming), Juan Carlos Romero (archery), Eddie Valenzuela (boxing) and Christian Lopez (weightlifting) attended the ceremony.

In separate acts, the flags of Mauritania and Tunez were raised on Wednesday.

Mayor of the Olympic Village, Chin Zhili, welcomed the three delegations.

Chief of the Guatemalan Olympic delegation Fernando Caceres told the press he expects good results from his sportsmen.

Guatemala is one of the five Central American countries that has never obtained a medal at the Olympic Games.

Sports leaders from Guatemala said the country's competitors are increasingly closer of obtaining a medal.

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2008)