Modern pentathlete Natalya Coyle has been announced as the Irish flag bearer for tomorrow's closing ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

A statement from the Olympic Federation of Ireland said: "The three-time Olympian was selected to close out what has been a successful Games for Team Ireland, with four medals already guaranteed going into the last 24 hours of competition."

Competing in her third Olympic games, Coyle, who finished 9th and 6th in London and Rio respectively, had been identified as a serious medal contender this time around.

However, after putting herself in a strong position following the fencing round, she was denied in heartbreaking circumstances in the showjumping round when her skittish horse 'Constantin' refused to co-operate.

Coyle, who indicated in her emotional interview with RTÉ Sport yesterday that the 2020 Games marked the end of her career, said it was an "incredible honour" to be asked.

"I'm still a bit shocked by it all and overwhelmed by it all. It’s an incredible honour to be able to walk the team out to the Closing Ceremony and to carry the flag.

"It is really going to cap a good end to my Games, which is something that I’m delighted about. I think it’s going to be pretty overwhelming; it’s going to be amazing, and I’m really looking forward to it now. I just can’t put into words, to be nominated and to accept it, it’s a highlight for me.

"The Japanese [people] have been incredible from the start. When we had our holding camp in Fukuroi, it was amazing, and they were incredible there and they're even better here.

"To host the Games, I don't think Japan has got enough credit and enough thanks. We’ve been training for this for years and even though it mightn’t have gone as well for me as I’d hoped, it has gone well for other people and just to be able to host the Games, the Japanese need a big round of applause for that."

The closing ceremony begins on Sunday at 12pm Irish time.