Michael Phelps selected as U.S. flag bearer for opening ceremony

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, is adding one more accolade to his resume.

Phelps was selected as Team USA's flag bearer for Friday's opening ceremony following a vote by his fellow team members, the U.S. Olympic Committee announced Wednesday.

Phelps won a record eight gold medals at Beijing 2008 and has a career total of 22 medals, 18 of them gold. Rio 2016 is expected to be the last Olympics of his career.

"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."