Yane Marques ready to fly the flag for Brazil at Rio 2016 opening ceremony

The 2016 Olympic Games will be officially opened today and Modern Pentathlon will play a big part in the proceedings.

First the UIPM President, Dr Klaus Schormann, carried the Olympic Torch on its way to the Maracana Stadium. Then, during the Opening Ceremony in the stadium itself, Brazilian pentathlete Yane Marques will carry the flag for the host nation - the first time that this honour has been bestowed on a Modern Pentathlete in Brazil.

Marques, Olympic bronze medallist at London 2012, has spoken of her pride at having been voted by the Brazilian people to lead her national Olympic team into the stadium. It promises to be an iconic moment for Brazilian sport and for Modern Pentathlon, with a global audience of billions watching on TV.

“It is such an honour and a satisfaction to carry the flag of my country,” said Marques. “Only a few athletes have had this opportunity in the history of the Olympic Games. I am feeling very happy and grateful. Today will be a special day!”

Dr Klaus Schormann, who carries the Olympic Torch for the fourth time having already been honoured with in 1972, 2004 and 2008, added: “For Yane Marques this is a special moment that will live with her forever. It is also a great tribute to our sport that we have an athlete carrying the flag of the host nation for the first time at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.

“I wish all of our athletes who will attend the Opening Ceremony a very special night in Rio, and I hope the rest of the UIPM Family watching on television around the world will enjoy the event.”

The Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games begins at 8pm tonight (local time). The Modern Pentathlon competition takes place from August 18-20.