[img_assist|nid=2609|title=Flagbearer|desc=Germany’s Natascha Keller (left) enjoyed every moment of her role as Germany’s flagbearer in the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony |link=node|align=left|width=220|height=311]Germany’s flagbearer at Friday night’s Olympic Games opening ceremony, Natascha Keller, lingered as long as she could in the stadium.
The five-time hockey Olympian and gold medallist in 2004 said: “I’m just enjoying every minute of it and part of it is just soaking it all up, taking photographs and being one of the last athletes to leave.”
Keller, a third generation Olympian, was chosen as Germay’s flagbearer for the ceremony.
“It was a very emotional moment for me when I entered the stadium. It was almost unreal because I couldn’t see all the people watching inside the stadium and all the people at home watching on TV,” she said.
Keller’s grandfather Erwin Keller won a silver medal in hockey at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Her father Carsten Keller won a gold medal in hockey at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich and her step-brother Andreas Keller won medals in hockey at the 1984 (silver), 1988 (silver) and 1992 (gold) Olympic Games. Her younger brother Florian Keller won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Germany start their 2012 Olympic Games hockey campaign on Sunday evening (July 29) at 9.10pm when they play USA.