Pinsent the flag-bearer

Matthew Pinset raises the Union Flag over Sydney Harbour

Rower Matthew Pinsent has been given the honour of being Britain's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Sydney on Friday.

Pinsent, who will be part of the coxless four going for gold with Steve Redgrave, Tim Foster and James Cracknell, topped a poll involving the various British teams.

It is the third Games in succession that a rower has been chosen to carry the British flag:Redgrave, who is going for a fifth Olympic gold in Sydney, having been nominated in Barcelona and Atlanta.

British teams were given one vote each on a sport-by-sport basis and Pinsent came out on top.

Nominated

Other athletes nominated were Ben Ainslie (sailing), Kate Howey (judo), Audley Harrison (boxing) and Jane Sixsmith (women's hockey).

Pinsent will be given a special certificate to commemorate the honour by HRH Princess Anne at the British team reception on Wednesday in the New South Wales Parliament House.

Pinsent, 29, won gold with Redgrave in the coxless pair in Barcelona and Atlanta.

Matthew is an outstanding ambassador for the British team

  British chef de mission Simon Clegg

Redgrave decided not to stand for the flag bearer role for a third time and Pinsent said: "When Steve said he was not standing again I was asked if I was willing to do so and I got the vote.

"I wouldn't say being in the Steve's shadow is particularly dark - he's always made a positive impact on my career - and hopefully when people see me standing in the opening ceremony with two Olympic gold medals it may bring it home to them."

British chef de mission Simon Clegg said: "Matthew is an outstanding ambassador for the British team. To be challenging for a potential third gold medal is a truly significant achievement.

"Very few athletes reach that pinnacle in their sporting careers."