Swimming world-record holder Federica Pellegrini has been selected as Italy's flagbearer for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

The Italian Olympic Committee made the announcement Wednesday, which marks 100 days until the opening ceremony on Aug. 5 - a date that coincides with Pellegrini's 28th birthday.

Pellegrini set the world record in the 200-meter freestyle at the 2009 world championships in Rome.

She took gold in the 200 free at the 2008 Beijing Games and silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics as a 16-year-old.

Pellegrini has also been on the medal stand in the 200 free at six consecutive worlds stretching back to the 2005 edition in Montreal.

Italy's most popular female athlete, Pellegrini will become the fifth woman flagbearer for Italy at the Summer Games.

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