The Olympic Committee of Israel is expected to name women’s world windsurfing champion Lee Korzits as the Israeli flag bearer at next month’s Olympic opening ceremony.

Korzits, 28, is expected to get the nod ahead of Beijing windsurfer bronze medalist Shahar Zuberi, because the OCI feel it is the turn of a woman to carry the flag.

Artistic gymnast and strong medal contender Alex Shatilov had also been considered a
candidate to carry the flag, but he is unlikely to participate in the opening ceremony because his competition begins on the first morning of the Games.

The senior member of Israel’s squad, Arik Zeevi, who won a bronze medal in judo in Athens in 2004, carried the flag in Beijing four years ago.

Israel’s full Olympic squad will be named on June 24.

Meanwhile, on the Olympic course in Weymouth last week, Korzits won a bronze medal in the World Cup windsurfing competition.

She decided to compete despite suffering from a heavy cold in order to familiarise herself with the course