Olympic taekwondo silver medallist Alexandros Nikolaidis (Photo: Reuters)
Two-time Olympic taekwondo silver medallist Alexandros Nikolaidis has been chosen as the flag bearer of the Greek team at the London Olympics which begin on July 27, the Hellenic Olympic Commitee said Tuesday.
Greece traditionally leads the opening ceremony parade of athletes and the 33-year-old will be the first to enter the stadium with his country's flag.
"It's the second time that the Hellenic Olympic Committee have offered me one of the greatest values of my life and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. I feel vindicated for my dreams and efforts in sports," Nikolaidis said.
In Beijing, Nikolaidis had the honour of being the first torchbearer in the torch relay. He went on to win the silver in those Games to go with the medal he won in Athens 2004. In 2008 he was the European champion in the +80 kilograms category.
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