Australian canoeist Jessica Fox and hockey player Eddie Ockendon have been picked to be Australia's flag-bearters at the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.
One of the biggest honours any Australian athlete can be considered for, the Australian Olympic Committee's Chef de Mission and former champion track cyclist Anna Meares made it clear longevity and success would both be considered in making the selection for this year's historic Opening Ceremony, which will be held on the River Seine rather than in the Olympic stadium as is tradition.
Fox is gearing up for her fourth Olympic Games, having debuted at London in 2012, before finally breaking through for a gold medal in the last Olympics, held in Tokyo.
She said being named flag bearer was as great as any moment previously.
"It's probably the greatest moment of my career," Fox said.
"Obviously that French connection is very strong and it's such a wonderful, special, unique moment to be able to bring my two cultures together: the French, the Australian.
"To lead us out and present us to Paris, present us to the world โฆ visualising those incredible moments over the next two weeks that will happen, just gives me goosebumps."
For Ockendon, the honour is even greater as he becomes the first Tasmanian to become Australia's Olympic flag-bearer.
A star of the Kookaburras Hockey team who will again be in the mix for a medal, Ockendon is gearing up for his fifth Olympics and said it was tough to describe the feeling.
"It's really, really hard to sort of describe how it feels," Ockenden said.
"The only thing I can think of is I'm just filled with so much gratitude. I can't believe that I'm here honestly."
The 37-year-old is the first Australian hockey player to compete at five separate Games.
The duo take over from Patty Mills and Cate Campbell, who were flag bearers for Australia in Tokyo, the first time the nation went with one male and one female athlete.
The Opening Ceremony will be held at 4am (AEST) on Saturday morning.
