Leading out your country at the Olympic Games is considered one of the biggest honours in sport. That's certainly how Andy Murray feels after being named Great Britain's flag-bearer at Rio 2016. The Wimbledon champion is the first tennis player to fill the role, and is clearly over the moon.
"To lead out Team GB will be an incredible honour, the biggest in sport," he said. "I obviously have great memories of London and am 100 per cent focused on winning here in Rio.
Andy Murray has been chosen as Team GB's flag bearer
"The privilege of being 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.
"I hope to do the team proud on Friday and wish all of the British athletes the best of luck for the Games ahead."
Andy was awarded the role by a panel headed up by Team GB chef de mission Mark England. He was chosen ahead of the likes of rower Katherine Grainger, and boxer Nicola Adams, a fellow defending Olympic champion.
The 29-year-old is the first tennis player to be given the honour
Andy is seeded second in both in the men's singles and the doubles tournament in which he is teaming up with brother Jamie. The 29-year-old will begin his defence of his Olympic singles title on Saturday, less than 24 hours after the opening ceremony.
Following the announcement, Mark England 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. I will be incredibly proud to hear him address the team and I have no doubt he will inspire our athletes and the nation alike."
Andy has confirmed that wife Kim and daughter Sophia will not be travelling to Rio
Earlier this week, Andy confirmed that his wife Kim Sears and their baby daughter Sophia will not be travelling to Rio to watch the Games, but insisted it was not down to the Zika virus.
"Kim and Sophia aren't coming," he told the Telegraph. "I spoke to my doctor and he assured me everything should be OK. Hopefully, I don't get too many mosquito bites. I don't think it is too bad at this time of the year. Kim not coming wasn't down to health concerns. She was never coming."
