TORONTO, July 23 (UPI) -- Gold Medal-winning kayaker Adam van Koeverden has been selected to be the bearer of the Canadian flag at the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremonies.

Van Koeverden, 26 from Oakville, Ontario, won the gold medal in the K-1 500-meter sprint at the Olympics in Athens in 2004. He also claimed a bronze medal in the K-1 1,000 meters. The Beijing Games mark his second Olympics.

"It's an incredible honor and privilege to be selected as Canada's flag bearer for these Olympic Games," van Koeverden said. "China is preparing an awesome Opening Ceremony, which I'm thrilled to lead our team of amazing Canadian athletes into. It's a great feeling to be representing my sport of Canoe-Kayak, our entire Canadian contingent, and everyone back home in Canada."

Opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing are set for Aug. 8.