Story highlights "I'm honored to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S.," Michael Phelps says

He is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 career medals, including 18 gold

(CNN) Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, has been selected as the U.S. flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympic Games by a vote of fellow Team USA members.

The U.S. Olympic Committee made the announcement Wednesday morning.

"I'm honored to be chosen, proud to represent the U.S., and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for," Phelps said in a statement.

"For Sydney, I just wanted to make the team. For Athens, I wanted to win gold for my country. For Beijing, I wanted to do something nobody else had done. In London, I wanted to make history. And now, I want to walk in the opening ceremony, take it all in, represent America in the best possible way and make my family proud. This time around, it's about so much more than medals."

I am honored to lead #teamusa into opening ceremonies!! #flagbearer #usa #rio2016 A photo posted by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on Aug 3, 2016 at 7:57am PDT

Phelps, who made his Olympic debut in 2000, has a record 22 Olympic medals, including 18 gold. In 2008 in Beijing, Phelps made history when he won eight gold medals, an Olympic record. He will swim in three individual events in Rio. He's the first American male swimmer to qualify for a fifth Olympic Games.

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