Basketball star Lauren Jackson has been named Australia's flag bearer for the Olympic Games opening ceremony in London on Friday.
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Jackson, the Australian women's basketball captain, was aware of all the rumours circulating in Australia about the possibility of her winning the honour and messages on Twitter.
But she said "I didn't really buy into it".
Jackson, a triple silver medallist, becomes the first Australian woman in 20 years to carry the flag in the opening ceremony of a summer Games.
She said when Australia's Olympic chef de mission Nick Green told her of his decision her first response was: "Why?"
She said she felt she didn't deserve the honour but was "blown away."
Jackson's advice to her 409 fellow Australian competitors: "Enjoy it. These are the greatest days of our lives."
Her parents, who both represented Australia in basketball, "would both fall at their feet," she said.
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