The popular Londoner, who states his motto as "train hard, win easy", was selected as flag bearer by his fellow Team GB athletes, who took part in a secret vote.

Bolarinwa was presented with the Union Flag by Britain’s most recent Olympic champion, Vancouver 2010 skeleton gold medallist Amy Williams, and British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan during a reception for Team GB at the British High Commission in Singapore.

After setting a 100m personal best of 10.39sec a week prior to departing for here, Bolarinwa has arrived at the Youth Olympic Games in fine form and with a confident frame of mind.

He said: "I am very proud and excited to be selected by my teammates to lead out Team GB at the Opening Ceremony.

"It’s a massive honour for me to carry the flag and I am really looking forward to representing the rest of the team at the opening of the Games.

"There are so many talented athletes in the team; I wasn't expecting to be chosen so I'm kind of shocked.

"It feels really good, like I’ve already won a medal.

"It’s definitely a great start to the Games.

"It will be a real privilege to join the flag bearers from all the other nations and share the experience of the Opening Ceremony of the first ever Youth Olympic Games."

Moments after the announcement, during a BBC interview, an emotional Bolarinwa called his family back in the UK to break the news as he said: "I'm phoning my mum to tell her that I've got this great opportunity."

Jan Paterson, Britain's Chef de Mission, said: "David Bolarinwa is an excellent choice to carry the Union Flag and I am sure that he will lead his teammates with pride at the Opening Ceremony.

"It was great to see by his reaction that it meant a great deal to him.

"There is an excellent spirit already building within the Team GB camp and the fact that David was voted by his fellow athletes - a first for Team GB - makes it particularly special recognition.

"David will now enjoy a place in the history books as the first ever Youth Olympic Games Team GB Flag bearer."

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