Andy Murray Named Team Great Britain's Flag-Bearer for 2016 Olympics

Wimbledon champion Andy Murray has been named as Great Britain's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Friday.

Team GB announced the decision on their official website:

"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."

Victor R. Caivano/Associated Press

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.

Murray reacted to the decision and spoke of his delight, per Team GB's official website:

"

I am very proud to be selected as the Team GB Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony on Friday. 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. ...

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.

"

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Murray's chances of retaining the gold medal were boosted after the news Swiss duo Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka will be missing through injury, according to the Guardian. Not only that, but Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic have withdrawn from the summer spectacle due to their concerns about the Zika virus, leaving just half of the world's top-10 players in the men's draw.

Murray has risen to the top of British sport and represents everything that is good about Team GB's attitude and philosophy.

The superstar is the perfect choice to carry the flag into the iconic Maracana Stadium as the world awaits a wonderful spectacle in Rio.