Commonwealth Games 2018: England announce Alistair Brownlee as flag bearer

Brownlee won gold four years ago in Glasgow and will attempt to defend his title a day after carrying the flag

Alistair Brownlee will carry the flag for England at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony (Getty)

Alistair Brownlee will be England's flag bearer for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Double Olympic triathlon champion Brownlee, is defending Commonwealth champion in the individual and mixed relay races. Team England selected their flag bearer after a vote of all sport team leaders.

Brownlee won gold four years ago in Glasgow and will attempt to defend his title a day after carrying the flag.

"It's a massive honour to carry the flag for England at the Commonwealth Games," he said. "I can't imagine what it will feel like walking into the stadium with the cross of St George, alongside all the other Commonwealth nations.

"It is certainly going to be up there as one of the moments in my career that I will always remember."

Team England chef de mission Sarah Winckless added: "Alistair is one of the iconic figures of English sport. His achievements in triathlon are unrivalled.

"I am sure that this experience will match all that he has achieved in his career and this will be a real moment to savour for Alistair and his family."

Meanwhile, swimmer Jazz Carlin will carry the Welsh flag in, an honour the double Olympic silver medallist is incredibly proud of.

"I always feel as though it's an honour to compete for Wales so this has definitely kick-started my experience here," she said. "The older you get, the more you appreciate the experience of being at the Games. I have fond memories of Glasgow, which was an incredible event.

"I'm really excited and can't wait for it to start."