Lizzy Yarnold has been named as the Great Britain flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang on Friday.

The 29-year-old goes into the Games as the defending women’s skeleton champion having clinched gold in Sochi four years ago.

Yarnold becomes the second skeleton athlete to carry the flag at a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, after Shelley Rudman who led Britain out in Vancouver in 2010.

Yarnold said: “I am hugely honoured to be flag bearer. I have been flag bearer in a closing ceremony in Sochi and that was really cool, but that was a celebration of an amazing Games.

“I do feel a big responsibility at the beginning of the Games – I am representing the team so I can’t drop the flag or get it wrapped round the pole.

“I’ve got to make sure I stand tall and represent GB. It’s something I’m used to doing sliding on the competitive field but in a ceremonial moment it’s really exciting and something I never thought would happen.”