Prime Minister Julia Gillard says she is proud Australia's basketball captain Lauren Jackson has been announced as Australia's Olympic flag bearer.
Jackson, a triple silver medallist, is the first Australian woman in 20 years to carry the flag in the opening ceremony of a summer Games.
Ms Gillard said Australian Olympians were made of great stuff and would make the nation proud.
"I'm really proud that we're seeing Lauren Jackson take the flag and take us in," she told reporters in Geelong.
"She's a great leader and she's going to be great leader of the team as it proudly marches in wearing its green and gold and getting ready for the Games to come."
The Opals skipper is competing in her fourth Olympic Games.
