In an unselfish and moving gesture 49er skipper Jesse Kirklan turned down the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry Bermuda’s flag during today’s opening ceremony at the Olympic Stadium and says giving the honour to his brother was the right thing to do.“Stan (Bermuda’s Chef de Mission Stan Douglas) did contact me and told me that I was being offered the incredible opportunity to carry our beautiful flag through the opening ceremony,” Jesse told The Royal Gazette.“I was honoured to be considered, however, I wanted nothing more than give the opportunity to my brother. We have been through so much together over the last couple years, and it just felt right to give him the prestigious honour.”Former Newport Harbour sailing coach Zander Kirkland said he was humbled by his younger brother’s moving gesture.“I am taken away for a number of reasons: one that our team was chosen for the honour and that my brother would withhold the prestige of this duty and pass it on to me,” he added. “It is a testament to his character and the teamwork that we have developed over the past few years. The forecast for next week is looking windy and this teamwork will be essential in those challenging conditions.”News that a sailor will lead Bermuda’s team into the Olympic arena was understandably met with joy from the local sailing community.“Bermuda has a very long tradition of sailing and probably the one sport that has consistently appeared in the modern Olympic Games for Bermuda,” said Bermuda Sailing Association president Tim Patton. “So we are obviously delighted that the sailors were picked as the flag bearers.“The Bermuda Sailing Association is of course very, very proud that Zander and Jesse managed to qualify Bermuda for the Olympics and the sacrifice they’ve put in is enormous. We are enormously proud of all of Bermuda’s athletes who have individually worked very hard to qualify for the Olympics.”Past Olympic sailor Alan Burland, added: “I think that’s absolutely sensational that Zander will be the flag bearer which I think is so well deserved.“Zander and Jesse have worked so hard and I think it’s a tribute to their hard work and dedication and commitment to the sport which I think is fabulous.”Another past Olympic sailor, Glenn Astwood, said carrying the Island’s flag at the Olympic opening ceremony is just reward for all the hard work the brothers have put in recently.“I think this was deserving when you look at the performances the Kirkland brothers have managed in the past few months,” he said. “Jesse seems to be very focused and he and Zander have shown that they are as good as any.”The Kirklands qualified for the Olympics after finishing ninth at last May's 49er World Championships in Croatia where they advanced to the medal race for the first time at this level.