MADRID, April 27, 2016

100 days ahead of the start of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, the Spanish Olympic Commitee announced that Rafael Nadal will carry the Spanish flag at the opening ceremony.

In 2012, the 14-time Grand Slam winner was also chosen for the honour in London but missed out through injury and was replaced by basketball superstar Pau Gasol.

Nadal won the singles gold medal in 2008 at the Beijing Games and also participated in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

“Spanish sport was in debt to Nadal,” Spanish Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco said. “He gave us a lot more than results.”

Muy contento de ser abanderado en los Juegos Olímpicos de #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/bZuYjBSkX8

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) 27. April 2016