Sarah Lavin and Liam Jegou will be Ireland's flagbearers at the third edition of the European Games in Krakow.
The duo made their Olympic debuts in Tokyo three years ago and have been handed the honour to represent Team Ireland at the opening ceremony in the Henryk Reyman Stadium on June 21.
The Ireland team will compete in 17 sports over a two week period from June 20 to July 2, with Olympic qualification on the line in several sports - including boxing and men's sevens rugby.
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"It's a massive honour," said 100m hurdler Lavin, who hails from Limerick and is competing in her second European Games.
"There’s 120 athletes competing at these multi-sport Games. The best of Irish talent. To be able to represent them and to carry the Irish flag, that’s a massive honour.”
Lavin, 29, has achieved top eight finishes in the World indoors and European championships, and is an eight-time national champion and six-time indoor national champion.
Her sixth place finish in the European indoors earlier this year was her third major final appearance in 12 months.
Canoeist Jegou, who competes in the C1 Slalom, was born in France but has roots in Clare, having lived in Ballyvaughan as a child.
He has performed well this year and this is the first time that the C1 Canoe Slalom will take place in the European Games, with eight athletes competing at the Kolna Sports Centre, where Jegou has competed on several occasions in recent years.
European Games debut for this discipline will see eight athletes compete in the Slalom events. The course for Krakow 2023 at the Kolna Sports Centre, is one that is familiar to Jegou and the team, and they have competed on it several times over the past few years.
“It’s brilliant," said the 27-year-old. "I’m very proud and very excited to fly the flag at the European Games.
"Team Ireland is such a strong team, you look at all the results from all the athletes, and to fly the flag is such a huge honour.
"I didn’t get to go to the Opening Ceremony for the Games in Tokyo, so it’s going to be a great moment, I look forward to it.”
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