Some of the flag bearers are shown in this combo photo. [chinadaily.com.cn]

Sixty-one flag bearers will be recruited from Athletics, the highest number of any sport.

Three delegations will not have their flags carried by athletes who are competing at the Games, namely Djibouti, Ethiopia and the Marshall Islands.

Former long-distance runner Salah Houssein Ahmed will carry the flag for Djibouti, Olympic gold medal winner Miruts Yifter, who is now a coach, will carry the flag for Ethiopia while Waylon Muller, an official, will be the flag bearer for the Marshall Islands.

Following is the list of the flag-bearers for the 204 delegations participating in the opening ceremony of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games in order of entry into the stadium (tabulated under IOC member associations, code, name and sport):