KEY POINTS:
Officials have rejected Maria Sharapova's request to carry the Russian flag at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
"She wanted to be a flag-bearer but I advised against it," Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpishchev said.
"I don't want her to spend three or four hours in hot weather waiting to march in the opening ceremony. We want her to be fresh, not tired, during her matches."
- AGENCIES
