Hoy named as GB flagbearer

Sir Chris Hoy will carry the flag for Team GB at Friday's opening ceremony of London 2012, the British Olympic Association have confirmed.

It is the second successive time the cyclist has been given the honour - he also carried the Union Jack at the closing ceremony in Beijing four years ago.

The Scot, who has four gold medals and a silver from three previous Games, won the biggest number of votes among the 542 members of the British team.

Others who also received support included Alison Williamson, the archer who will be competing at her sixth Olympics. A number of other possible candidates such as sailor Ben Ainslie and swimmer Rebecca Adlington were not on the shortlist as, because of their competition demands, they are not able to attend the opening ceremony.

Hoy, who said that British Cycling is on a huge high going into the Olympics following Bradley Wiggins' victory in the Tour de France, described winning the vote by fellow athletes as "a huge honour".

He has never yet attended an opening ceremony and would have missed out on London too had he not been selected.

Hoy said: "The team is not due to travel until the Saturday, chances are I probably would not have gone so it's a great opportunity for me in my last Olympics. It will be something special and especially with it being the home Games it will be quite an experience. It's the stuff of dreams and I am still in shock a little bit at receiving such a huge honour."

Hoy revealed the impact of Wiggins' victory had reverberated around the British Olympic cycling team.

He said: "The general feeling is just of sheer excitement and anticipation. It is reaching fever pitch."

Team GB's Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said of Hoy's selection: "Team GB could not have placed the flag in better hands. It is a great honour for Sir Chris and the team will be proud to march behind him. He is a fantastic ambassador for his sport and his country."