Olympics: Nadal given second chance to carry flag

Omnisports 03:05 - 27 April 2016

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Spain have selected Rafael Nadal to carry their flag at the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, four years after he pulled out through injury.

Rafael Nadal has been selected as Spain's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Nadal was chosen for the same role at London 2012, but was forced to surrender his ceremonial duties to basketball star Pau Gasol when injury forced him out of the Games.

Tendonitis prevented Nadal from defending the men's singles title he had won four years earlier in Beijing, but the 29-year-old will be looking to reclaim the title from Great Britain's Andy Murray in Brazil.

Reports this week claimed Nadal had filed a lawsuit against Roselyne Bachelot following the former French sports minister's allegations that he failed a doping test.

Bachelot alleged that Nadal's lengthy absence from the ATP Tour in 2012 was "without any doubt because he tested positive".

A statement from the Spanish Olympic Committee on Wednesday described Nadal as "one of the best Spanish athletes of all time" and "a person whose values embody the best of sport and Olympism".