Lee Pearson was chosen to ahead of 263 other athletes, {{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}, Equestrian champion Pearson named Paralympic Team GB's flag bearer, Read more Why Rio 2016 can build on London's Paralympic legacy. Murray was selected from a group of athletes who were nominated by sport Team Leaders. The London 2012 singles champion, 29, was chose… Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Michael Phelps, the team's flag bearer, wore a specially-designed jacket which had an electroluminescent 'USA' motif across its back. Murray follows in the footsteps of Team GB greats including the London 2012 Flagbearer Sir Chris Hoy and becomes the first British tennis player to lead their country into an Opening Ceremony. Bobsleigh pilot George Johnston will enter Friday’s Opening Ceremony of the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games as Team GB’s Flagbearer after a vote by his fellow athletes. Rio 2016: Andy Murray named Team GB flag bearer | Sporting News The 1906 Intercalated Games is no longer considered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to be part of the Summer Olympic Games but it was the first such event to feature an opening ceremony with a parade of nations. “He is a fantastic athlete at the very top of world sport, but not only that, an athlete that embraces and demonstrates the Olympic values in everything he does, on and off court. “There are a great number of outstanding athletes on this team, from Nicola Adams who I made flagbearer in Baku, to Sir Bradley Wiggins, unquestionably one of our greatest ever Olympians. Pearson is a ten-time Paralympic gold medalist, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. 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. Flag bearers have been an important part of the Olympics for nearly as long as the Games have been running. William Grenfell, 1st Baron Desborough, a member of the British fencing team who went on to be president of the British Olympic Council in time for the 1908 Games in London, was the first person to carry the flag for Great Britain. News 03 Aug 16 The British Olympic Association is delighted to announce that defending Olympic champion Andy Murray has been selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for Friday’s Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Peason was given the honour of carrying the flag out at the Maracana after being chosen from a vote of the 264 Paralympic Team GB athletes competing in Rio over the next 11 days. It was an emotional moment for him personally, and for this team. By George Flood “I am so proud and honoured to be the flag bearer for such a talented, strong and passionate group of British athletes,” Pearson said. The 42-year-old equestrian rider won three golds at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing games before picking up his tenth gold medal – as well as a silver and a bronze – in London four years ago. The final selection for the honour was made by a panel headed by Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England. I obviously have great memories of London and I am 100% focused on winning here in Rio. Gold. The nominees were chosen by their respective sports as athletes that exemplify the Olympic Values and uphold the Team GB Values. The Staffordshire-born rider was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenital, meaning his limbs were twisted and have very little muscle. “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.” Two people have been given the honour on more than one occasion. Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray will carry the British flag at Friday’s o pening ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Rio 2016 Olympics - latest news Andy Murray to be named Team GB flag bearer and Sweden v South Africa starts the football competition “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. Speaking on the announcement Murray said: “I am very proud to be selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony on Friday. Tennis Team Leader Iain Bates added: “Being the Flagbearer for your country at the Olympics is an incredible honour and I am absolutely thrilled for Andy. Leading out your country at the Olympic Games is considered one of the biggest honours in sport. “Being a diverse character myself has meant that being voted by the athletes themselves made this moment even more special. “I genuinely feel that we are among the best prepared and supported athletes at the Paralympic Games and I can’t wait to lead my fellow teammates from ParalympicsGB into the stadium in a day’s time – I hope I don’t get blown away.”, Paralympic Team GB chef de mission Penny Briscoe added: “Lee has been a cornerstone of our equestrian team since he first made his debut in Sydney and has played a key role in establishing Great Britain as the leading Paralympic nation in the sport.”, Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. This is a list of flag bearers who have represented Great Britain at the Olympics. Murray was selected from a group of athletes who were nominated by sport Team Leaders. Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been named as the Team GB flag-bearer at the Olympic Games opening ceremony in Rio's Maracana Stadium on Friday. Paralympics 2016: Equestrian champion Lee Pearson named as Team GB's flag bearer for Rio opening ceremony. The 32-year-old was ecstatic upon receiving the news that she would carry the flag on behalf of the 160 British athletes who will represent Team GB in Baku. Rio 2016: Andy Murray to be Team GB flag bearer at Olympics. “I hope to do the team proud on Friday and wish all of the British athletes the best of luck for the Games ahead.” “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. Flag bearers carried the national flag of their country at the Parade of Nations of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. “He is a great role model and thoroughly deserves this accolade. I know he is over the moon at being selected and I'm sure he will do himself and our country proud on Friday.”. Men and women from across the country and from a variety of sports have been chosen to bear their national flag at the opening ceremony. Team GB medal tracker Rio medal tracker traces team GB's progress at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. The privilege of being the Flagbearer is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life and will certainly be one of the highlights of my career. Select from premium Flag Bearer of the highest quality. Find the perfect Flag Bearer stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The Opening Ceremony will begin at midnight BST (8pm local time) on Friday at the 78,050 capacity Maracana, officially marking the start of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. Kate Richardson-Walsh has been named Great Britain’s flag bearer for the closing ceremony in Rio on Sunday. Johnston, who qualified for Lillehammer 2016 as number one in the world in the men’s monobob event, will parade the union flag around… The Scot becomes Team GB's first tennis player to lead out an Olympic squad for the nation, and he follows in the footsteps of compatriot and cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy as flag-bearer. Adams will have the privilege of being the first ever Team GB Flagbearer at a European Games. Nicola Adams, the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, could be in line to make more history as the first black athlete to carry the Team GB flag at an Olympic opening ceremony. Andy Murray confirmed as Team GB flag bearer for Rio 2016 Olympics opening ceremony Two-time Wimbledon champion chosen ahead of female boxer Nicola Adams for prestigious role. Pearson is a ten-time Paralympic gold medalist 1 /67 In Pictures: Team GB's medal run at Rio 2016 Olympics. Andy Murray has been announced as Great Britain's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games on Friday night. The British Olympic Association is delighted to announce that defending Olympic champion Andy Murray has been selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for Friday’s Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. During the closing ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, the flag … Team GB will send 366 athletes to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. ... ate Richardson-Walsh has been named Team GB's flag bearer for the closing ceremony at the Rio Olympics. ... Olympic and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been chosen to carry the flag for Team GB at Friday's Rio 2016 opening ceremony. Team GB Chef de Mission Mark England said: ANDY MURRAY claims he has landed the biggest honour in sport after chosen as Team GB’s flag-bearer for the Rio 2016 opening ceremony on Friday. Ten-time Paralympic champion Lee Pearson has spoken of his pride after being named as Great Britain’s flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the games in Rio on Wednesday. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? “This is my third Olympic Games and it is a very special competition for me. Rio 2016 Olympic Games: Great Britain's flag will be carried into the Olympic Games opening ceremony by 2012 gold medallist Andy Murray. Hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh has been named as Team GB's flag-bearer at Sunday’s closing ceremony for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The three-time Grand Slam winner, and world No.2, is in strong form going into the Games after clinching his second Wimbledon crown just four weeks before arriving in Brazil to defend his Olympic title. Andy Murray handed Team GB flag bearer honour at Rio 2016 Olympics opening ceremony.