Michael Phelps to be flag bearer at Rio opening ceremony

The US has named Michael Phelps as its flag bearer for Friday night’s Rio Olympics opening ceremonies.

Phelps holds the world record for most gold medals with 18 and most overall with 22.

“I’m honoured to be chosen, proud to represent the United States, and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for”, he said. The last time the men’s team stayed on one, in 2004, they failed to bring back the gold medal.

This comes as absolutely no surprise, as Phelps is the most decorated Summer Olympic athlete all-time. He has also been added to the 4x100m freestyle relay team, while he is also expected to be named to the 4x100m medley relay team.

The opening ceremony for the 2016 Olympic Games takes place on August 5.

Shower heads falling off, a lack of electricity, holes in the wall, water issues, robbery – those are just some of the things that both the men and women’s U.S. basketball teams will not have to worry about during the Olympics. He was elected by his team-mates, a delegation of 556 athletes and the largest at the Olympic Games. In London, I wanted to make history.

The legendary swimmer was selected by a vote of US athletes.

“It feels so right”, said 21-year-old teammate Missy Franklin, one of many swimmers inspired by Phelps during their early years at the pool.

The swimmer has been chosen to lead the American athletes into Rio’s Maracanã Stadium during Friday’s opening ceremony, it was revealed exclusively on TODAY Wednesday. Gary Hall, who carried the flag at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, is the only other swimmer to carry the flag for the U.S. Since then, Phelps went through six weeks of inpatient therapy, gave up alcohol, reconnected with his estranged father, got engaged and became a father for the first time with the birth of his son, Boomer.