Champion cyclist Anna Meares has been unveiled as Australia's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Meares was announced by chef de mission Steve Moneghetti in the role at the Team Australia reception at the Kelvingrove Museum on Monday, edging out contenders Sally Pearson and Michael Diamond.

Meares fought back tears after the announcement, and says carrying the flag into the stadium will be a very special moment for her.

"I'm always emotional. I think that's just the sort of person that I am," she said.

"Being a sprinter as well we're pretty emotional creatures. But I just never thought I'd get the chance.

"I think it tells me I've done a really good job in my career so far. I'm a good team-mate and I'm a good leader and sometimes it's not all about being successful, it's about bouncing back from defeats and failures and challenges.

Anna Meares factfile Winner of two Olympic golds and four Commonwealth Games golds

Winner of two Olympic golds and four Commonwealth Games golds Made a remarkable recovery from a fractured neck suffered in a crash to win silver in the Sprint at the Beijing Olympics seven months later

Made a remarkable recovery from a fractured neck suffered in a crash to win silver in the Sprint at the Beijing Olympics seven months later Current world record holder in 500m track time trial, the first woman to go under 33 seconds in the event

Current world record holder in 500m track time trial, the first woman to go under 33 seconds in the event In Glasgow, joins Kathy Watt as only female cyclist to compete in four Commonwealth Games

In Glasgow, joins Kathy Watt as only female cyclist to compete in four Commonwealth Games Currently one medal shy of Watt's Australian female record of seven Commonwealth Games cycling medals

Currently one medal shy of Watt's Australian female record of seven Commonwealth Games cycling medals Named Australian Institute of Sport Athlete of the Year in 2007 and 2011.

"I think that's quite reminiscent of the Australian character and I think I embody those qualities."

This Games is Meares's fourth, and should she medal in the 500m time trial and the track sprint she will surpass Kathy Watt as Australia's most successful female Commonwealth cyclist.

Meares has won four gold medals, one silver and one bronze in her Commonwealth Games portfolio, compared to Watt who finished her illustrious career with four gold, two silver and a bronze.

The 30-year-old is the current world-record holder in the 500m time trial - the first woman to go sub-33 seconds - and will start as firm favourite for the event in Glasgow.

Meares says it was an honour just to be considered to lead Australia into the opening ceremony on Wednesday at Celtic Park.

Meares started competitive cycling aged 11, following in the footsteps of older sister, Kerrie Meares.

In 2008 Meares suffered a potentially critical injury while racing, fracturing the C2 vertebra in her neck.

She performed a remarkable recovery to make it to the Beijing Olympics just seven months later where she won a silver medal in the sprint.

Meares is the reigning Olympic champion in the sprint and also won gold in the 500m time trial back at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Dream come true as honour sinks in for Meares

Proud moment ... Anna Meares holds the Australian flag aloft at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery in Glasgow. ( Getty Images: Robert Cianflone )

Anna Meares' titles Olympics: Three Games: two gold, one silver, two bronze Commonwealth Games: Three Games: Four gold, one silver, one bronze World titles: Four: 500m time trial 2004, 2007, 2012; Keirin 2012.

Speaking to ABC News 24, Meares said while she dreamed of being named flag bearer, she never expected to be honoured with the role.

"I really wanted this. When I was waiting for the announcement, I had fingers crossed, toes crossed," she said

"I heard my name and I had my own little moment of celebration, and then I looked up and went, 'what do I do?'"

"Not many people get to do this. It is a real honour."

After earning so much acclaim with international titles and Olympic gold, Meares says she is still relishing more glory in Glasgow.

While she expects the honour of flag bearer to spur her on further, Meares believes the positive mood in the Australian camp will produce a much better showing after the poisonous morale during the London Olympics.

"This is so outside the box from what I normally do. I know it is an incredible honour to lead the largest contingent of athletes in the Australian Commonwealth go team, I'm just so happy.

Australian Commonwealth Games flag bearers 2014 - Anna Meares, cycling 2010 - Sharelle McMahon, netball 2006 - Jane Saville, athletics 2002 - Damian Brown, weightlifting 1998 - Kieren Perkins, swimming 1994 - Ian Hale, shooting 1990 - Lisa Curry-Kenny, swimming 1986 - Michael Turtur, cycling 1982 - Rick Mitchell, athletics 1978 - Remo and Salvatore Sansonetti, cycling 1974 - Michael Wenden, swimming 1970 - Pam Kilborn, athletics 1966 - David Dickson, swimming 1962 - Antony Madigan, boxing 1958 - Ivan Lund, fencing 1954 - Richard Garrard, wrestling 1950 - Mervyn Wood, rowing 1938 - Edgar Gray, cycling 1934 - Noel Ryan, swimming 1930 - Henry Pearce, rowing

"Everyone is really happy, excited. A lot of great camaraderie. For me personally, I'm not so shy any more. I feel like I belong here.

"The first time I put on the green and gold, I felt like I'd borrowed superman's cape, but now I feel like I belong.

Meares said her interest in cycling was sparked by watching Watts competing in the 1994 Games in Victoria, Canada, but she could never have foreseen herself one day carrying her country's emblem at the opening ceremony 20 years later.

"The interest was sparked in 1994 watching Kathy Watts on TV with my sister Kerry, and here 20 years later, flag bearer for my fourth Commonwealth Games. It was never ever in my thoughts that this would happen," she said.

"I will take very good care of it, even though I've been a bit of a klutz with it. Excitement does that."

ABC/AAP