Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, whose four Olympic gold medals and host of world titles earned him a knighthood, has been chosen to carry the British flag at the London Olympic Games opening ceremony.
Hoy carried the flag at the 2008 Games closing ceremony after his triple-gold medal track cycling haul, and will be competing in his fourth Games having also won gold in 2004 and silver in 2000.
It is also something of a compensation for Hoy after he discovered last week he will not be able to defend his individual sprint title after selectors opted for Jason Kenny following a change of rules allowing only one rider per country per event.
The 36-year-old Scot was selected to carry the flag after a vote by all members of Britain's 542-member Olympic team and he will defend his Keirin and team sprint titles in London.
The announcement caps a great two days for British cycling after Bradley Wiggins, who will also race on the road in London, became the first Briton to win the Tour de France.
