Kate Richardson-Walsh to be Team GB's flag-bearer at Rio Olympics closing ceremony
By Paul Vinnell
Last Updated: 21/08/16 10:36pm
Hockey captain Kate Richardson-Walsh has been named as Team GB's flag-bearer at Sunday’s closing ceremony for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Four-time Olympian Richardson-Walsh led the women's team to their first ever Olympic gold with a thrilling shoot-out win over the reigning champions, the Netherlands.
The 36-year-old made her Olympic debut at Sydney 2000 and competed at Beijing in 2008 and London - where they won a bronze - four years ago.
Richardson-Walsh said: "I feel incredibly proud to have been chosen. There are so many athletes here who have achieved great things in Rio and I'm incredibly surprised and excited to carry the flag this evening.
"I'm very aware of the magnitude of this honour having been part of this magnificent team who have just excelled in so many ways and in so many sports. There are so many fantastic multi-Olympians and multi-medallists here I feel it's such a huge honour for me and for hockey as a sport."
Chef de Mission Mark England said: "To captain the team to a first women's hockey gold is an incredible achievement and befits a remarkable Games for Team GB here at Rio 2016.
"There is no one more fitting than Kate to lead Team GB into the closing ceremony in what has been the greatest British sporting triumph of all time."
Team GB became the first nation to win more medals than they did as hosts four years before.
They moved past the 65 they won in London to 66 ahead of super-heavyweight Joe Joyce's bid for gold on Sunday evening.
That means they finish second in the medals table, behind the USA but ahead of China for the first time since 1984.
Approximately 250 Team GB athletes will take part in the closing ceremony athletes' parade, with a further 100 team officials and support staff joining them.
