Actress Olivia Munn, whose credits include starring roles in HBO’s “The Newsroom” and Fox’s “X-Men,” will serve as host for the opening ceremonies of the Aurora Games, an all-women’s sports festival at Times Union Center.

Munn, who also is an author and activist, will help open the Aurora Games on Tuesday, Aug. 20, preceding the event's tennis competition.

Event organizers also announced the addition of former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to the Team World tennis roster. Azarenka, who gave birth to a son two years ago, is a two-time Australian Open singles champion, two-time U.S. Open runner-up and two-time Olympic medalist.

"I am thrilled to be hosting the opening night of the Aurora Games," Munn said in a statement. "Sports have always played an important role in my life, and to be part of a platform that is intended to celebrate achievement by women in sports and beyond is in keeping with everything I believe in."

Munn also has been instrumental in advancing rights for women and minorities in the entertainment community and the country.

The opening ceremonies will have a "parade of flags," representing more than 20 countries with participating athletes. The evening will also include musical performances, a presentation of the Aurora Games athletes' bill of rights and an unveiling of the Babe Didrikson Zaharias Trophy.

"Olivia Munn's diverse background, personal history, high profile and commitment to women's rights make her the perfect host for opening night of the Aurora Games," Aurora Games executive producer Jerry Solomon said in a statement. "I was introduced to Olivia a couple of years ago on another project. Her passion comes through in everything she does and will help open our celebration of women in sports and culture with an aura of excitement and electricity that will carry through our six days of competition."

A native of Oklahoma, Munn most recently starred in 20th Century Fox's "The Predator" opposite Keegan-Michael Key and Sterling K. Brown. She will next appear in the new Starz series "The Rook," premiering later this year.

She works with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DoSomething.org’s “Green Your School Challenge” and the Sierra Club.

Azaarenka, 29 has won 20 Women's Tennis Association singles, seven doubles and three mixed doubles titles. She continued her comeback from maternity leave in Monterrey earlier this month by advancing to her first final since winning the Miami Open in 2016.

"The Aurora Games will be a great platform for me to join so many accomplished athletes to not only showcase our talents but to help to further reinforce the message about what women and working moms can do with the right opportunities," Azarenka said in a statement. "I am looking forward to coming to Albany and playing for Team World."

Both Azarenka and Garbine Muguruza will play for Team World in August. Team Americas will be led by 2019 Indian Wells champion Bianca Andreescu, reigning Olympic singles gold medalist Monica Puig from Puerto Rico, and U.S. Open and Olympic doubles champion Bethanie Mattek-Sands. Additional players are still to be named for each team.

- By Pete Dougherty, Times Union, Albany, N.Y.