STEPHANIE RICE thought being summoned for a chat with Australian Olympic team chief John Coates in Beijing meant a cordial meet and greet.
Little did the winner of three swimming gold medals in world record times realise she was to be asked to carry the the Australian flag at today's Beijing Games closing ceremony.
''I never even saw that coming at all,'' she said after Mr Coates announced her as flag bearer.
''I feel so honoured to be given this role and I'm really looking forward to it because I didn't get to go to the opening ceremony.
''I was always really looking forward to going to the closing but now even more so.''
Mr Coates had indicated earlier in the week the flag bearer would most likely be a woman, following the great success of the team's female athletes.
Rice has been Australia's most successful athlete in Beijing, winning the 200m and 400m individual medley double and being part of the gold medal 4x200m freestyle relay team all setting world records.
The honour of flag bearer at the closing ceremony is reserved for the best or most inspirational performer of the Game.
Mr Coates said Rice's performances in the first week had been pivotal in setting the mood for the Australian Olympic team.
''It was a difficult decision,'' Mr Coates said.
Rice said the impact of her performances in the pool still had not sunk in, more than a week after she had finished competing.
''Being in Beijing and being away from all the media coverage that we have in Australia has probably been really good for me,'' Rice said.
''I think I'll probably have a bit of a shock getting back into Australia. I'm so happy with the performances I did in the pool and to be given the honour of having the flag in the closing ceremony is so huge for me.
''I just hope I can inspire other people to get these results as well.''
The photogenic Rice has set tongues wagging over her private life after she and the other half of Australian swimming's glamour couple, Eamon Sullivan, decided to end their relationship to concentrate on their Olympic campaigns.
After appearing with US swimming star Michael Phelps at a promotional event this week, the rumour mill went into overdrive. AAP