Boxing champion Nicola Adams will be the Team GB flagbearer at the European Games Opening Ceremony ©BOA

Olympic women’s boxing champion Nicola Adams will be Team GB’s flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony at the inaugural European Games, the British Olympic Association has announced.

Adams, the first-ever woman to win an Olympic boxing gold medallist when she triumphed on home soil at London 2012 in the flyweight division, was chosen out of a select group of athletes nominated by team leaders.

The 32-year-old will create another moment of history when she steps into the Olympic Stadium in Baku on Friday (June 12) in front of what is expected to be a sell-out 68,000 crowd.

“To be representing Team GB at the first-ever European Games is a great honour and being selected as the flagbearer will be a truly unforgettable experience,” Adams, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, said.

“I know that carrying the flag will be a very proud moment not only for me and my family but also for everyone who has supported my career up to this point.

“I will always cherish the experience of leading Team GB into the stadium.

“I intend to use this honour to drive me on to perform as well as I can and encourage my teammates to be their best.

“I hope that this is just the start of a successful Games for Team GB.”

Adams became the first-ever women's boxing champion with gold in the flyweight division at London 2012
Nicola Adams became the first-ever women's boxing champion with gold in the flyweight division at London 2012 ©Getty Images

The athletes’ parade during the Ceremony is scheduled to take place between 21:30 and 22:05 local time.

Adams forms part of a 12-strong boxing team among the 160 British athletes who are due to take part in the first-ever European Games, which conclude on June 28.

She will be in competition starting on June 19, with medal bouts scheduled for June 25 in the glittering Crystal Hall venue and Britain’s Chef de Mission Mark England believes Adams is a “fantastic role model”.

“Nicola is a superb choice to lead Team GB into the Opening Ceremony in Baku and we are very proud to have her as our flagbearer,” he said.

“As an Olympic Champion, Nicola is a huge inspiration to the whole of the team.

“As the first ever women to win Olympic boxing gold, Nicola is a fantastic role model and will be the perfect person to embody the One Team GB Values on Opening Ceremony night.”



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