Rio 2016 Olympic champion kayaker Marcus Cooper has been named as one of the Spanish flagbearers for the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Cooper will be joined by sailor Tamara Echegoyen on the parade of athletes on a boat on the Seine - the first time the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games is not taking place inside a stadium.
In Paris, the 29-year-old Cooper will become the fourth paddler from his nation to carry the Spanish flag.
At Tokyo 2020, five-time Olympic medallist Saul Craviotto did the honours. Before him, another five-time Olympic medallist David Cal performed the duties at Beijing 2008. Finally, three-time Olympic medallist Herminio Menendez carried the Spanish flag at Moscow 1980.
"The responsibility, pride, honour and love that this situation brings fills your heart," Cooper told the Royal Spanish Canoeing Federation.
"It is the most beautiful flag in the world, of the best country in the world and everyone is very clear that the flag is in the best hands, in those of someone who feels the colours when the anthem sounds in international competitions.
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"Cheer and congratulate all qualified athletes.
"We will go all over to Paris for the best results to surpass the 22 medals and then celebrate it again.
"Long live our sport and long live Spain!"
Cooper will compete in the K4 500 and K2 500 at Paris 2024.
At Rio 2016, the Mallorca resident won K1 1000 gold.
Four years later, he added another Olympic medal by winning the silver medal in the K4 500.
Born in Oxford, Great Britain, Cooper is also a three-time world champion and has won gold medals in continental competitions as well.
At the World Championships, he won the K2 500 in 2017 and 2021 and the K4 500 in 2022.
The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will take place on July 26.
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