The 29-year-old clinched men’s singles gold at the London 2012 Games as well as silver in the mixed doubles alongside Laura Robson.
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Andy Murray will be “emotional” as he carries out his duties as Great Britain’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics, according to his mother. “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”, said the world no.two in Tennis. “I obviously have great memories of London and I am 100 percent focused on winning here in Rio”, said Murray in a statement posted on the Team GB website.
Murray admitted that “what I’ve shown throughout my career, a lot of perseverance and spirit”, was one of the reasons British chef de mission Mark England asked him to carry the flag.
Bill Sweeney, the BOA chief executive, said this week that as few as 55 British athletes might take part in the opening ceremony.
“There was a big point on it. I think she was OK about it. I will try to get a bit of practice in though!”
“Roger and Stan, if they were both here, everyone who has won a Grand Slam in the last 10 years or so would be playing here”, Murray said.
“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”.
Rather it is an indication of how far the sport has to go for its stars to embrace the Games, in light of the fact the four majors are their priority.
Andy Murray will play Viktor Troiki in the first round of the Olympic tennis tournament as the British No 1 looks to defend his London 2012 gold.
Scott’s countryman Jason Day, American pair Jordan Speith and Dustin Johnson, and Rory McIlroy were among those to announce they would skip the Rio Olympics, weakening a field in what is golf’s first appearance at a Games since 1904. He was selected by his team mates as an athlete who “exemplifies Olympic values”.
Great Britain’s flag-bearer will be hoping to make a fast start but he will need to be wary of Troicki, who triumphed in the Apia International Sydney back in January before ending runner-up at in the Sofia Open the following month.
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“It’s by far the proudest moment in my professional career, I never thought I’d get the opportunity to do this”, Murray told a news conference Thursday.
