South African swimming sensation Chad Le Clos has said he cannot wait to grace the opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games today.

South Africa Team has elected to field Le Clos and women’s hockey vice-captain Phumelela Mbande as the flag bearers at the opening ceremony scheduled for Olympic Stadium in Tokyo.

In reaction, Le Clos tweeted: “_{We going live in about 2hours time, I’m so excited Chad.”}

_{Earlier, he said  “What an incredible honour, I will rember this forver, just been namd flag bearer along with @phu,z024 for tomorrow’s opening ceremony. Nothing makes me prouder than to lead tea, into this @olympics. thank you and god bless.”}

South Africa Olympic Committee president, Barry Hendricks has since congratulated Le Clos and Mbande for being chosen torch bearers.

“In previous Games there was one flagbearer for a country at the opening ceremony, and one at the closing ceremony. In a welcomed change, the IOC adopted a resolution that each national Olympic committee could nominate one female and one male athlete as flagbearers.

“As always, it was incredibly difficult to arrive at the decision as to who to carry the flag in the opening ceremony.

“Both Chad and Phumelela are role models and inspirations for their respective sports and we’re proud to have them carrying the flag for our wonderful nation,” he said.

The International Olympic Committee is allowing teams to field a male and female athlete in the opening ceremony as part of its gender-balanced initiative.

South Africa has sent probably the biggest delegation of athletes to the Games numbering 185 surpassing the 137 they took to Rio Olympic Games in Brazil.

The Games will run until August 8 2021.