Just days before the opening ceremonies for the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Team USA has announced that Michael Phelps will be the flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history and is the first American male swimmer to qualify for a fifth Olympic Games. He was chosen to be the flag bearer by his fellow Team USA members. 

“I'm honored to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S., and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for,” Phelps said. “For Sydney, I just wanted to make the team. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. For Beijing, I wanted to do something nobody else had done. In London, I wanted to make history. And now, I want to walk in the Opening Ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it's about so much more than medals.”

Phelps has 22 career Olympic medals, including 18 golds.