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Conor Lyne to fly the flag for Ireland

Downhill skier selected as flag bearer for Friday’s opening ceremony at the Winter Olympics

Ireland’s Seamus O’Connor performs a jump during slopestyle snowboard training at the Winter Olympics. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Ireland’s Seamus O’Connor performs a jump during slopestyle snowboard training at the Winter Olympics. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
Wed Feb 05 2014 - 17:43

Alpine skier Conor Lyne has been selected as Ireland's flag bearer for the opening ceremony of the Sochi Winter Olympics on Friday.

The 21-year-old Lyne, who will compete in the slalom and giant slalom at the Games, heads a five-strong Ireland team in Russia.

Ireland have never won a Winter Olympic medal but came close in 2002 when Clifton Wrottesley finished fourth in the men's skeleton in Salt Lake City.

The Ireland team also includes alpine skier Florence Bell, cross country skier Jan Rossiter, skeleton slider Sean Greenwood and slopestyle snowboarder Seamus O'Connor.