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Rio 2016: Sir Bradley Wiggins refuses Team GB flagbearer role as he believes it should be a woman

Wiggins believes it would be better if British Cycling nominated a female rider

Wednesday 03 August 2016 06:48 BST

Wiggins is Britain's most decorated Olympian with seven medals (Getty)

Bookmakers' favourite Sir Bradley Wiggins has ruled himself out of the running to carry the British flag in the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics on Friday.

The deadline for sports to nominate an athlete for the honour has now passed, with a final decision being made by vote among Team GB's senior staff, including chef de mission Mark England and British Olympic Association chief executive Bill Sweeney.

The 36-year-old Wiggins, Britain's most decorated Olympian with seven medals, is understood to have told British Cycling some time ago that he thought it would be better if it nominated a female rider.

The decision will be announced at a reception for Team GB at the BOA's base in Rio, British House, on Wednesday.

Boxer Nicola Adams, tennis star Andy Murray, showjumper Nick Skelton, rower Katherine Grainger and long-distance runner Jo Pavey are among those to have been mentioned with the role.

Sir Chris Hoy led the team into the stadium in London, with speed skater Jon Eley doing the honours at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

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1/10Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN - Individual Dressage

The defending Olympic champion in the individual and team dressage disciplines, barely a competition seems to go by in which the 29-year-old Dujardin and her horse, Valegro, do not increase their standing with yet more world records. The pair are looking invincible. Prospects: 24 carat gold

Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

GILES SCOTT - Sailing (Finn class)

Arguably one of the best sportsmen to not feature at an Olympics, Scott has suffered the misfortune of competing in the same event as Sir Ben Ainslie with only one spot available. But Ainslie’s Olympic ambitions are now over. Prospects: Gold digger

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S TEAM PURSUIT - Cycling

Once unbeatable, the trio of riders, which later became a quartet – Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell, with Dani King vying to win her place back – went four years without a defeat before being outdone by Australia at the World Championships in Paris in February. Such is British Cycling’s ability to peak at the right time, expect them to be back on top next year. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

ALISTAIR BROWNLEE - Triathlon

Only fifth in the world, but the Olympic champion had a late start to the season. He has won two of his three races in 2015 and his rivalry with Spain’s Javier Gomez will be captivating up to the Games. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

SCOTT BRASH - Individual Show Jumping

The multi-million-pound horse Hello Sanctos has helped put Brash, a gold medallist at London 2012 in the team event, comfortably at the top of the world rankings. He is currently on course to become the first rider to win showjumping’s Triple Crown. Prospects: Going for gold

Getty Images

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MO FARAH - Athletics – 5,000m and 10,000m

Britain’s leading athlete may have been in the headlines for the wrong reasons in past weeks but he remains the world’s leading distance runner. A repeat of that golden double over the 5,000m and 10,000m will be a hard ask but the Londoner ought to come out on top in at least one. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

WOMEN'S PAIR - Rowing

Helen Glover and Heather Stanning halted their successful partnership in 2012 so the latter could resume military duties. Now reunited, they are gradually getting back to being the sport’s powerhouses. Prospects: 24 carat gold

AFP/Getty

Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

MEN'S COXLESS FOUR - Rowing

British Rowing has turned its attention to the eight as the lead boat this year in order to qualify for the Olympic Games. However, the coxless four will once more be the No 1 boat for Team GB in Rio. The make-up of the boat is still unknown but Britain will be bidding to achieve a fifth straight win in the event at the Games.

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

KATARINA JOHNSON-THOMPSON - Heptahlon

The 22-year-old from Liverpool has just one Olympic appearance to her name dating back to London, where she finished 15th while Jessica Ennis shone. But she has become the world’s leading female eventer and ought to be Olympic favourite. Prospects: Going for gold

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Ten British Gold Medal Prospects At Rio 2016

JADE JONES - Taekwondo 57kg

Ranked second in the world behind Eva Calvo Gomez, the attack-minded Jones beat the Spaniard at last year’s World Grand Prix and was recently crowned the first European Games champion. She believes the world title would have been hers if not for a scoring system error. Prospects: Gold digger

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Of Britain's 45 Olympic flag-bearers since 1906, only six have been women.

There are 206 countries taking part in the Parade of Nations, plus a team of refugee athletes. By tradition, Greece lead the way, with teams then following in alphabetical order, according to their Portuguese names, apart from hosts Brazil, who enter the stadium last.

PA

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