Natalya Coyle to fly the flag

Meath woman Natalya Coyle has been named as the flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

The three-time Olympian was selected to close out what has been a successful Games for Team Ireland, with four medals already guaranteed going into the last 24 hours of competition.

The Closing Ceremony takes place in the Olympic Stadium on Sunday, August 8th at 12 noon (Irish time).

Speaking about the announcement, Coyle said,

“I’m still a bit shocked by it all and overwhelmed by it all.

" It’s an incredible honour to be able to walk the team out to the Closing Ceremony and to carry the flag.

" It is really going to cap a good end to my Games, which is something that I’m delighted about.

"I think it’s going to be pretty overwhelming; it’s going to be amazing, and I’m really looking forward to it now. I just can’t put into words, to be nominated and to accept it, it’s a highlight for me.

“The Japanese [people] have been incredible from the start.

"When we had our holding camp in Fukuroi, it was amazing, and they were incredible there and they're even better here.

"To host the Games, I don't think Japan has got enough credit and enough thanks.

"We've been training for this for years and even though it mightn't have gone as well for me as I'd hoped, it has gone well for other people and just to be able to host the Games, the Japanese need a big round of applause for that.”