Andy Murray chosen to lead out Team GB at Olympic Games opening ceremony
Wimbledon winner and reigning Olympic champion will be the flag bearer for Great Britain at the Maracana
Andy Murray was one of the stars of London 2012. He now has the honour of leading out the team at the opening ceremony (Getty Images/Clive Brunskill)
Olympic and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray will carry the Union Flag for Team GB at Friday's Rio 2016 opening ceremony.
The 29-year-old Scot who was in the Great Britain team which won the Davis Cup in November, will be first tennis player to fill the role. "To lead out Team GB will be an incredible honour, the biggest in sport," he told the BBC.
In addition to winning individual gold against Switzerland's Roger Federer at the London 2012 Games, Murray also won a silver medal in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson.
Laura Robson and Murray won silver for Team GB at London 2012 (Photo: Getty Images/Elsa)
"I obviously have great memories of London and I am 100 per cent focused on winning here in Rio," said Murray
"The privilege of being the flag bearer is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life and will certainly be one of the highlights of my career."
Humility and grace
The flag bearer is chosen from shortlist after each sport nominates an athlete and the British Olympic Association makes its selection.
Mark England, chef de mission of the Great Britain team 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."
"When I asked Andy to lead our team out it was received with a humility and grace that is befitting of the values of Team GB. It was an emotional moment for him personally, and for this team."
Djoko pleased
Murray's Serbian rival Novak Djokovic was full of praise for the Scot. “Absolutely deserved, that’s all I can say. He’s a globally recognised, not tennis player, but an athlete. He’s done so much for Great Britain. He has won a couple of medals, he’s won Davis Cup.
Nadal confirms he will play at Rio 2016, as Djokovic and Murray hit the courts
"I’ve known him for a long time and I know how much he cares about playing for his country. Being a flag carrier for the Opening Ceremony is absolutely deserved for him.”
Team USA have selected swimming legend Michael Phelps to lead them out for the opening ceremony which begins at at 8pm local time on Friday 5 August.
Nadal confirms he will play at Rio 2016, as Djokovic and Murray hit the courts
