Defending Olympic champion Andy Murray has spoken of the “incredible honour” of being chosen as Team GB’s flag bearer for Friday night’s opening ceremony in Rio.
Just weeks after claiming his second Wimbledon crown, the Dunblane star was selected by a British Olympic Association panel to head the 366-strong Great Britain team at the Maracana Stadium spectacular.
Murray, who won the men’s singles gold at London 2012, will become the first tennis player to head the British team at an Olympics opening ceremony.
Cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins had been the bookies’ tip to carry the flag but the 29-year-old Scot was thrilled to receive the honour.
“To represent your country at the Games is an unbelievable experience, but to lead out Team GB will be an incredible honour, the biggest in sport,” said Murray.
Murray has said he is “100% focused on winning” in Rio, his third Olympic Games.
Flag bearer nominations were made by the respective national sports federations before the final selection was made.
Team GB’s chef de mission Mark England, who headed the panel, said: “The conviction with which Andy spoke to me about the honour of carrying the flag only underlined why he is such an exceptional individual, and absolutely the right choice.”
Among the first to congratulate the Grand Slam winner was fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy, the Team GB flag bearer at London 2012.
Many congratulations @andy_murray on being chosen as the @TeamGB flag bearer, don't forget it has to be single arm and no holster! ???
— Chris Hoy (@chrishoy) August 3, 2016
On Twitter, the legendary cyclist set Murray a personal challenge for Friday evening, posting: “Many congratulations @andy_murray on being chosen as the @TeamGB flag bearer, don’t forget it has to be single arm and no holster!”
