Katie Taylor to carry the flag for Ireland
Wicklow's Katie Taylor will be Ireland's flag bearer at Friday's London 2012 opening ceremony, the Olympic Council of Ireland has announced.
The 26-year-old Bray woman got the nod over fellow boxer Paddy Barnes, who won a bronze medal at the Games in Beijing four years ago.
Taylor will make her Olympic debut in the lightweight division of the women's boxing competition on 5 August.
The lightweight fighter received a bye straight into the quarter-finals.
As well as her world titles, Taylor has won five European titles, four EU titles and is a Republic of Ireland international footballer.
She is the third Irish boxer to be chosen as Irish flag bearer at the Olympics.
Wayne McCullough, who won silver at the 1992 Barcelona Games, carried the Irish flag at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and Francis Barrett carried the flag at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.
Irish Amateur Boxing Association President Tommy Murphy described the move as "another proud moment for Ireland's most successful Olympic sport."
"It's a great honour for Irish amateur boxing and we are absolutely delighted that Katie has been chosen to be the flag bearer for Ireland for the opening ceremony for the London Olympics.
"She is the first female boxer to represent this country at the Olympic Games and it is a good choice. Katie is a fantastic ambassador for our sport and her record in international competition speaks for itself."
