RIO DE JANEIRO — U.S. Olympic team flag bearer Michael Phelps is not going to stay for the duration of Friday night’s opening ceremony, as almost every other athlete will, but instead will be whisked out by NBC staffers and driven back to the Olympic Village, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
It is believed that Phelps will be the first U.S. flag bearer ever to leave the opening ceremony early. He is expected to depart not long after bringing the U.