Sir Chris Hoy has been chosen to carry the flag for Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the London Games on Friday.
The four-time Olympic gold medal winner polled the most number of votes among the 542 members of the British team.
The 36-year-old cyclist also carried the Union Flag at the 2008 closing ceremony in Beijing.
“I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to have been voted as the flag bearer for Team GB,” said Sir Chris.
Last five Team GB flagbearers
- 2008 Beijing: Swimmer Mark Foster
- 2004 Athens: Judoka Kate Howey
- 2000 Sydney: Rower Matthew Pinsent
- 1996 Atlanta: Rower Sir Steve Redgrave
- 1992 Barcelona: Rower Sir Steve Redgrave
“To lead out your team at a home Olympics is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that that I can’t wait to experience in just a few days time.”
Other GB Olympians who also received support included archer Alison Williamson, who will be competing at her sixth Games.
Hoy, who will compete in the team sprint and keirin at London 2012, is the first cyclist to have the honour of carrying the British flag at an opening ceremony.
The Scot will lead out Team GB when they become the last of the 204 competing nations to enter the arena.
It has been a remarkable few days for British cycling following the success of Bradley Wiggins in the Tour de France.
Brian Cookson, president of British Cycling, told BBC Sport: “Just when you think it can’t get any better it does. It is the cherry on the cake for British Cycling after Bradley Wiggins’s success on Sunday.
“Sir Chris is a brilliant athlete and a fantastic ambassador for the sport of cycling. Hoy is reaching his potential just at the right time in the sport and deserves this pivotal role at London 2012.”
Hoy, who is Scotland’s most successful Olympian, was named BBC Sports Personality of the year in 2008.
He won a silver medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, a gold at Athens in 2004 and another three golds in Beijing four years ago.
Team GB’s Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said: “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.”
Hoy is not due to compete until the second week of the Games, when he will try to surpass rower Sir Steve Redgrave’s British record of five gold medals.
The British Olympic Association asked each sport represented in Team GB to nominate one candidate. The team leaders of each sport then voted on the shortlist.
Hoy’s Olympic achievements
- 2004 Athens: Gold – 1km time trial
- 2008 Beijing: Gold – team sprint (with Jason Kenny and Jamie Staff)
- 2008 Beijing: Gold – keirin
- 2008 Beijing: Gold – sprint
- 2000 Sydney: Silver – team sprint (with Craig MacLean and Jason Queally)
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