Murray won a gold and silver medal at London 2012 and will be the second consecutive Scot to lead out the British team after Chris Hoy was given the honour four years ago.
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“It’s a huge honour to represent Team GB at an Olympic Games for the third time”, Murray said. He was selected by his team mates as an athlete who “exemplifies Olympic values”.
As ever, the biggest challenge will come from Novak Djokovic, who was Serbia’s flag bearer in London but failed to win a medal after Murray beat him in the semi-final and Juan Martin del Potro won the bronze medal match.
Veteran long-distance runner Jo Pavey was also thought of as a leading candidate by many as she prepares to embark on her fifth Olympic Games aged 42, while show jumper Nick Skelton, 58, was believed to be under consideration, too. I have great memories of London and I am 100 per cent focused on winning here in Rio.
“This is something I will remember for the rest of my life”.
He spoke of his pride at being put forward for the role, saying: “I am very proud to be selected. For me the Olympics is the biggest event by far”, he added.
World number two Murray discovered he was to be his country’s flag-bearer on Tuesday night as he was about to go to sleep at the athletes village.
Murray clinched gold in the men’s singles at London 2012, defeating multiple Grand Slam victor Roger Federer in the final, and the British number one arrives in Brazil full of confidence.
England, who headed the panel for the final selection, said a conversation with Murray convinced him the three-time grand slam victor was a worthy choice.
He will also partner up with older brother Jamie in the men’s double competition.
“We will have a good shot at a medal”, the world’s fifth-ranked doubles player said when speaking to the Daily Mail on Sunday.
Perhaps all this talk of flag-waving pride, pomp and circumstance means it’s easy to forget that Murray is looking to become the first man to defend a Olympic men’s singles title in Rio.
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Tennis star Murray, the defending Olympic champion, will lead out the British team in what he describes as one of the proudest moments of his career.
