Team USA baseball player who flew flag in Olympics opening ceremony tears up as he talks about ‘the American dream’

THE team USA baseball player who flew the flag in the Olympics opening ceremony has teared up talking about "the American dream."

First-generation Cuban American Eddy Alvarez, 31, said: "It means everything to me."

An emotional Alvarez said: "I owe so much to my parents, to my family.

"I came over to this country, so to be able to lead Team USA is an absolute honor.

"It was a lot of sacrifice I’ve had to make in this life in my athletic career so, I’m just absolutely incredibly honored and what a privilege."

Alvarez said in a statement: "Being a first-generation Cuban American, my story represents the American Dream. My family has sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunity to wave this flag proudly."

TWO FLAG BEARERS

Team USA was led out by two flag bearers, women's basketball icon Sue Bird and Miami Marlins star Alvarez.

During the ceremony a miked up Alvarez could be heard saying: "I am a little freaked out right now. I am happy Sue is here to hold me up."

Alvarez, who won a silver medal in speedskating at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, and Bird were chosen by a vote of fellow U.S. athletes.

They are the first duo to share the honor of leading the delegation into the ceremony.

Read our 2020 Tokyo Olympics live blog for the latest updates and news...

Alvarez added: "I am grateful for my time with US Speedskating and USA Baseball, as well as for all of my teammates, and I am humbled to lead Team USA into the Tokyo Olympic Games."

Four-time Olympic women’s basketball gold medalist Bird said: "It’s an incredible honor to be selected the flag bearer for Team USA.

"It’s an honor that is bigger than the moment in that you’ve been selected by your fellow Team USA athletes to represent the entire delegation, and it will last forever."

Alvarez is the first baseball player to carry the flag for the US.

The sport returned to the Games at the request of Japan after being absent from the previous two Olympics.

He made his major league debut last year with the Miami Marlins, but has been in the minors this year.

If the U.S. baseball team were to medal, he’d be the only the third American to medal in both the Winter and Summer Games, joining Eddie Egan - boxing and bobsled - and Lauryn Williams - track and field and bobsled.

The ceremony on Friday featured 1,800 drones flown in formation of planet earth with tennis star Naomi Osaka the final torchbearer.

Having been delayed by year due to the coronavirus pandemic, expectations were high for the show-stopping event.

Simone Biles and the rest of the Team USA gymnastics squad did not walk in the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Friday.

The women's gym team opted not to walk because it is "focused on preparation", Meredith Yeoman, a spokeswoman for USA Gymnastics, told the New York Times.

While there was a sombre nod to the pandemic - with an athlete working out on a treadmill in the middle of the National Stadium - it was an otherwise colourful affair.

The Tokyo skyline was illuminated by fireworks after the Olympic flame was delivered to the Japanese capital.

Instead of the usual loud, crowded event, the festival had a somewhat more intimate feel, with just a handful of VIPs invited to watch.

More than 11,300 athletes from 207 will be going for gold over the next two weeks.