The Olympic Games opening ceremony is just a matter of days away, with the Australian Olympic Committee officially announcing their flag bearer selections.
The rare and special honour has been given to several iconic athletes over the years.
At the past Games in Tokyo, swimmer Cate Campbell and basketballer player Patty Mills were selected as dual flag bearers.
MORE: Australian Olympics squad finalised for Paris 2024
Who are Australia's Olympic flag bearers in 2024?
Jess Fox and Eddie Ockenden have been selected as Australia's flag bearers for the opening ceremony in Paris.
The decision was announced on Wednesday evening (AEST).
Fox is an Olympic champion slalom canoeist and was an early favourite to be picked to fly the flag.
The 30-year-old had medalled four times at the Games, including a gold medal in Tokyo.
It is particularly fitting for Fox to be given the honour, as she was born in France before later moving to Australia.
"It is probably the greatest moment of my career to be able to share this role with Eddie and just visualise ourselves leading ourselves down the Seine in Paris," she 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."
Ockenden is a veteran field hockey player.
The 37-year-old has played over 400 games for Australia, featuring in four Olympic Games and winning three medals – one silver and two bronze.
Our co-captain Eddie Ockenden is set to make history on Sunday in Adelaide as he reaches the extraordinary milestone of 400 international matches.
— Kookaburras (@Kookaburras) November 25, 2022
Eddie will become the first Australian to reach the incredible feat and only one of a handful worldwide. pic.twitter.com/Q6TpOAiTVf
He notably becomes the first Tasmanian athlete to be selected as a flagbearer.
"What is special for me is the Tasmanian community, all the sportskids and for hockey," Ockenden said.
"I’m proud to do this for hockey and for the hockey kids.
"We all dream of winning a gold medal when we’re kids and this team is no different."
Every Australian summer Olympics flag bearer in history
| Year | Opening ceremony | Closing ceremony |
| 1920 | George Parker (Athletics) | - |
| 1924 | Edwin Carr, Sr. (Athletics) | - |
| 1928 | Bobby Pearce (Rowing) | - |
| 1932 | Boy Charlton (Swimming) | - |
| 1936 | Dunc Gray (Cycling) | - |
| 1948 | Les McKay (Water polo) | - |
| 1952 | Mervyn Wood (Rowing) | - |
| 1956 | Mervyn Wood (Rowing) | - |
| 1960 | Jock Sturrock (Sailing) | - |
| 1964 | Ivan Lund (Fencing) | Dawn Fraser (Swimming) |
| 1968 | Bill Roycroft (Equestrian) | Eric Pearce (Field hockey) |
| 1972 | Dennis Green (Kayaking) | Michael Wenden (Swimming) |
| 1976 | Raelene Boyle (Athletics) | Robert Haigh (Field hockey) |
| 1980 | Denise Robertson-Boyd/Max Metzker (Athletics/swimming) | John Sumegi (Flatwater canoeing) |
| 1984 | Wayne Roycroft (Equestrian) | Dean Lukin (Weightlifting) |
| 1988 | Ric Charlesworth (Field hockey) | Debbie Flintoff-King (Athletics) |
| 1992 | Jenny Donnet (Diving) | Kieren Perkins (Swimming) |
| 1996 | Andrew Hoy (Equestrian) | Mike McKay (Rowing) |
| 2000 | Andrew Gaze (Basketball) | Ian Thorpe (Swimming) |
| 2004 | Colin Beashel (Sailing) | Petria Thomas (Swimming) |
| 2008 | James Tomkins (Rowing) | Stephanie Rice (Swimming) |
| 2012 | Lauren Jackson (Basketball) | Malcolm Page (Sailing) |
| 2016 | Anna Meares (Cycling) | Kim Brennan (Rowing) |
| 2020 | Cate Campbell/Patty Mills (Swimming/basketball) | Mat Belcher (Sailing) |
| 2024 | Jess Fox/Eddie Ockenden (Canoeing/field hockey) | - |
When do the Olympics start?
The first events in Paris begin on Wednesday, July 24.
The opening ceremony will then take place on Friday, July 26, with no competition events scheduled that day.
The full preliminary schedule is available here.
