KEY POINTS:
It could be the biggest breach of national security since the puncturing of the Waihopai spy base domes by sickle-bearing protesters in April.
Then again, it could just be NZ Olympic team chef de mission Dave Currie foxing.
Every four years, the identity of the flag bearer with the honour of leading the New Zealand team into the stadium during the Olympic Games opening ceremony becomes a closely guarded state secret. Tradition holds that the chosen one is not announced until about 24 hours before the ceremony.
But at a press conference in Beijing yesterday, Currie may well have let slip a clue.
Asked if he had chosen the flag-bearer yet, Currie said: "We have. He'll be there - the team function is six o'clock on the seventh, I'm sure you'll all be there. At about 6.30 we'll all share it."
By saying "he", has Currie just eliminated the women in the team from the list of possibilities? Could be, but we certainly won't be finding out before Thursday night.
Gender-specific pronouns aside, Currie wasn't giving anything away yesterday. When quizzed about whether the person was honoured to be leading the team, his answer didn't even betray if he had spoken to them.
"It will all be revealed on the seventh. It's an extraordinarily powerful moment for the individual and the team and I think they'll reflect the same sort of values and delight in being given that opportunity that others have done."
