Maryland native Michael Phelps has been selected by Team USA athletes as the country’s flag bearer at the Rio opening ceremony on Friday.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, has said he will retire after his fifth and final Olympics. He said in a statement, quoted by USA Today, that being the flag bearer means a great deal to him:
“I’m honored to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S. and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for,” Phelps said in a statement.
