Who is the flag bearer for the United States?

Michael Phelps was chosen as the USA flag bearer in what will likely be his last Olympic games

The most decorated Olympian of all time has never held his country’s flag in the opening ceremony, that is, until this year. Michael Phelps has always competed in the 400 medley first thing on the Saturday after the opening ceremony. But not this time. Once the 400 medley was taken off his schedule, he was freed up to hold the honor and was voted the flag bearer by his USA teammates.

“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 in a statement from the USOC.

“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.”

But this year will most likely be his last chance at the Olympics, his record fifth Games. “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.”

NBC Sportscaster Bob Costas called Michael Phelps the “right guy” to be the flag bearer and says he merited the honor “a couple of Olympics ago.”

As always, Twitter was full of reactions to the news that Phelps will be the flag bearer. Track and field athlete Lolo Jones called it in 2014:

Track and field athlete Lolo Jones called it in 2014:

The US soccer team was among the first to congratulate Phelps.

Not to miss a beat in this year’s election cycle, presidential hopeful Donald Trump tweeted:

Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis tweeted:

Christine Brennan of USA Today Sports took a different approach when she wrote, “The honor of being the U.S. flag bearer brings more scrutiny for Michael Phelps.”

But the Rio Olympics twitter retweeted this cute comment with a photo of Phelps’ son:

Phelps took the time following the announcement to talk about doping controversies in the sport when he said, “We all want clean sports and everyone on the same playing field. I don’t think I’ve ever competed in a clean sport – but there’s not much other than me I can control.”

“Something needs to change with all sports, not just swimming,” he added.

Phelps is a household name, unlike many of the US flag bearers from the past. It’s still a surprise that such a widely known athlete was chosen, even if his Olympic pedigree warrants it. Phelps is also just the second swimmer to serve as Olympic flag bearer. Gary Hall carried the flag at the 1976 Montreal Games. Friday will also mark the first time Phelps will be walking in the ceremony as well.

Besides carrying the flag, he shouldn’t be hard to miss with the USA initials glowing on the back of his Ralph Laurent-designed Olympics uniform.

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