Four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has been selected as the Team GB flagbearer for Friday’s London 2012 opening ceremony.
The 36-year-old, who also carried the Union Flag at the Beijing closing ceremony is 2008, won a vote from 542 members of the British Olympic team.
“I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to have been voted as the flag bearer for Team GB,” said Hoy, who will lead out the team at the Olympic Stadium.
“To lead out your team at a home Olympics is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that I can’t wait to experience in just a few days’ time.”
Hoy won three golds in Beijing to add to his Athens triumph but will only defend his keirin and team sprint titles in London after Jason Kenny was selected for the individual sprint.
British Cycling president Brian Cookson added: “To be selected as a flagbearer at any Olympic Games is a great honour but to be selected for the home Games is an extra special achievement and I’d like to personally congratulate Sir Chris.
“Chris has been an outstanding ambassador to the sport of cycling throughout his extensive career, and we’re proud that he is a fellow member of British Cycling. To have Chris carry the flag on behalf of Great Britain is another milestone in the success of cycling in Britain.”
Great Britain’s track cyclists are currently at a holding camp in Newport, with the first action in the Olympic velodrome scheduled for Thursday August 2.
