Hoy speaks of pride at leading out Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics

Chris Hoy: Will never forget leading out Team GB© SNS Group

Sir Chris Hoy has revealed that being the flag-bearer for Team GB during the opening ceremony of the London Olympics was a moment he will “remember forever”.

The four-time gold medallist beamed with pride as he led his team-mates out to massive cheers from the watching crowd.

Sir Chris added that it was an "honour" and a "privilege" to lead out the home nation in front of 80,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium.

He told fans on his Twitter page: “WOW! So lucky to have experienced that, what a privilege. A moment I will remember forever.”

The British athletes walked through a guard of honour of schoolchildren as they made their way through the Olympic Park to the stadium.

As host nation, they were the last group to join the parade which was watched by billions across the globe.

Sir Chris said: "I don't think any of us were expecting it (the reception) to be this good."

Commenting on carrying the flag, he said: "It's a massive honour to be the one who leads out the team, even more so at our home Games."

Earlier, the crowd erupted with cheers and applause as the Queen arrived for the opening ceremony in spectacular fashion.

Thousands had already enjoyed the beginning of director Danny Boyle's £27 million show, celebrating all things British and charting the history of the nation.

Scenes from the country's past, from the industrial revolution to the cultural influence of the Beatles, were staged for the audience.

But as the Queen took her seat with the Duke of Edinburgh, the extravaganza really began and she was warmly clapped by thousands around her.

Her entrance had been heralded in dramatic style, with James Bond and the Queen apparently skydiving into the stadium in film footage shown to the audience.

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