Andy’s big honour as flag bearer
WIMBLEDON champion Andy Murray described being chosen to carry the Team GB flag at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games tomorrow night as ‘the biggest honour in sport’. He will follow in the footsteps of fellow Scot Sir Chris Hoy, who performed the same role at London 2012, after beating off competition from Sir Bradley Wiggins and Nicola Adams. Murray, whose gold medal win in the men’s singles four years ago kick-started the best period of his career, was chosen by a panel headed by Chef de Mission Mark England from those nominated by their individual sports. And it sealed a perfect day for the world No2 after it was announced that the Davis Cup semi-final with Argentina will be played at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. Despite the Olympic tennis
From Back Page tournament starting less than 24 hours after all competing countries parade in the Maracana Stadium, Murray had no hesitation in accepting. ‘I am very proud,’ he said. ‘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. ‘This is my third Olympic Games and it is a very special competition for me. I have great memories of London and I am focused on winning here in Rio. ‘Being the flagbearer is a moment I will remember for the rest of my life and will be one of the highlights of my career.’ Chef de Mission 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.’ Murray is second seed in the men’s singles, behind Novak Djokovic, who paid tribute to his rival at Serbia’s Olympic team Press conference. Djokovic said: ‘Absolutely deserved. He has done so much for Great Britain. He has won gold and silver in London, he has won (the) Davis Cup. ‘I’ve known him for a very long time and I know how much he cares about playing for his country so being a flag carrier for the opening ceremony is something that’s absolutely deserved.’ Murray will have been equally delighted to hear Davis Cup tennis is returning to Glasgow after he led Britain to victory there over the USA and Australia last year on their way to winning the title for the first time in 79 years. Leon Smith’s team will play Argentina at the Emirates Arena from 16-18 September, with the winner playing either France or Croatia in the final in November.