Our first Olympic Stud of the Day* was, of course, chosen for his performance at last night’s opening ceremony. (Read our best and worst moments.) We were looking for enthusiasm. First, we considered Liechtenstein’s flagbearer, Marcel Tschopp, a track and field athlete who didn’t let the fact that he was one of two people representing his country stop him from fist-pumping. Then, we were drawn to Kevin Cordon, the smiling flagbearer from Guatemala who apparently heard Bob Costas when he said that Cordon had drawn one of China’s badminton standouts in the first round of competition, so perhaps he should enjoy himself now. But in the end, Italian flagbearer Antonio Rossi (pictured) had three things those gentlemen didn’t: Three hundred plus countrymen acting as though they’d hit the vino while awaiting their walk in the parade of nations. (Probably with Brazil and Spain.) The ability to reduce broadcast-fatigued Costas and Matt Lauer to a "Marco … Polo" joke. And a sport jacket that hugged his back muscles.
So, congratulations, Antonio Rossi. We look forward to watching you compete in Flatwater — as soon as we find out what that is. (Something involving a canoe or kayak, allegedly.)
Nominate your own Stud of the Day from last night’s opening ceremony below. Come back daily for our next pick.
* Not just a man or woman who turns us on. (Necessarily.)
Comments (1-30) of 43 Add your comment
The flag bearer from England was meow-wow! Very hunky. I think he is a swimmer.
Not necessarily a stud persay, but I have always loved Sergei Bubka. Seeing him last night leading the Ukrainian team brought a smile to my face.
Ben W-T
http://sfist.com/2008/08/08/hot_bay_area_olympians_ben_wildmant.php
the male swimmers have the best bodies. not too muscular like the weightlifters and not too girly like the male gymnasts.
I would nominate Yao Ming. He was the best babysitter I’ve ever seen.
I think the flagbearer from Poland was pretty hot (and very happy too).
Ditto on the Yao Ming comments. That little kid was too cute for words, and he had the best view in the house.
I’m sorry but the male gymnasts bodies that I saw in the competitions this morning are not girly at all http://www.elpais.com/fotografia/LiXiaopeng/durante/prueba/hoy/elpdiadep/20080809elpepudep_36/Ies/
But I do agree that swimmers have the best bodies…
Yao Ming and the little boy were amazing together. That was really sweet.
Personally, Roger Federer has always been a stud. The opening ceremonies was no different story for him.
did anyone notice how many hot guys were in the parade of countries? i love the olympics =)
Although I didn’t see any last night, male divers have the best bodies — as well-muscled as swimmers, but without the barrel chests. Plus they compete almost naked. So let this serve as a pre-emptive nomination for any Olympic diver that may be shown over the next two weeks. The Olympics rule!
roger federer.. what a guy !!
The gentleman from Guatemala caught my eye as well. Bob and Matt were cracking me up when they got “punchy.”
On the stud front, there were quite a few guys in those Netherlands suits (the gray ones with white piping) looking goood.
rafael nadal looked hott. i loved how much he was smiling when he was walking w/ spain.
Heck yes Roger Federer!
Guatemala!!!!!!!
I vote for Kevin Cordon from Guatemala because he has Obama ears and so do I.
When I saw Monaco’s flagbearer Mathias Raymond, I literally gasped. WHAT a hottie!
Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, with their tiny little speedos. hot hot HOT!!!
I don’t know who we was, but he was walking behind the guy carrying the flag from Malta.
HELLO. I had no idea the parade of nations was a synonym for getting your hottie patrol on. Go Olympics.
Adam van Koeverden – Canada’s Flag bearer. HAWT.
i agree ANTONIO (spain) toooo hot to handle but i wouldn’t mind trying111111
I agree Antonio (Spain) just toooo hot to handle……..
Ditto Adam van Koeverden—yummy!
I have no idea what white water and flatwater are, but they easily had the hottest guys there! Anyone know if it’s a sport they can do shirtless?
Marcel who? The Olympic stud of the night wasn’t in China but in Rome. In fact, it was just an American Express commercial. I won’t forget that face!
Watch the commercial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULx0I0Pogo8
See the man shirtless here:
http://www.guytvblog.com/archives/2008/08/anderson_davis.html
Marcel who? The Olympic stud of the night wasn’t in China but in Rome. In fact, it was just an American Express commercial. I won’t forget that face!
Watch the commercial here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULx0I0Pogo8
See the man shirtless here:
http://www.guytvblog.com/archives/2008/08/anderson_davis.html
Among a host of yummy male athletes, Roger Federer stood out to me. I could’ve done without the absolutely inane and condescending commentary from Bob Costas, however. What a doink.
I nominate the little boy that marched with Yao Ming. After hearing his story (he was in the earthquake and went back for his schoolmates because “he was the hall monitor”). Absolutely precious and easily the cutest person in that stadium!
Raj Bhavsar. He was a men’s gymnastics alternate in both 2004 and this year, thought it was never going to happen even though he rocked his Olympic Trials both times (but they didn’t choose him), and when the Hamm brothers got hurt he stepped up for some terrific qualifying performances.
The Cayman Islanders, who phoned NBC and asked them not to break for commercial while they walked. I thought that was hilarious.