For the Irish choice, I would have a few candidates to consider....
Natalya Coyle - Modern Pentathlon:
Tokyo 2020 would be her 3rd Olympic Games. She finished in the top 10 on the previous 2 occasions and has been a wonderful servant not only for Irish Modern Pentathlon, but for Irish sport in general. She always has a positive outlook and is always supportive of her team mates across all sports throughout the year.
O'Donovan brothers - Rowing:
While it would be hard to choose one over the other to fly the flag, perhaps they could have a joint effort in the Opening Ceremony. The O'Donovans have been a breath of fresh air since breaking onto the scene at the last Olympics and they are loved by the Irish public. They have inspired a new generation of Irish rowers and raised the profile of the sport in the country. Gold medallists at the 2018 World Championships as well as silver at the Olympics in 2016 means they would be totally deserving in every aspect to fly the tricolour.
Thomas Barr - Athletics:
4th place at the Rio Olympic Games in the men's 400m Hurdles. A true gent and one of the nice guys of athletics. He makes time for everyone and gives so much back to the sport. He always produces his best when it matters and I would love to see him honoured like this, especially after narrowly missing that Olympic podium in Rio.
Ciara Mageean - Athletics:
Another athlete who is one of the most down-to-earth, nice people you could meet, always giving back to the sport. No one loves her country more than Ciara and she exudes this in every interview I have seen her give. She has had more than her fair share of ups and downs over the course of her career and it would be a thoroughly deserving choice if she was given the honour.
Rhys McClenaghan - Artistic Gymnastics:
European Champion 2018. Rhys has put Ireland on the map in gymnastics. Never before have we had a world-class gymnast who will be capable of going all the way in the men's pommel in Tokyo. Never one to shy away from competition or the spotlight, would be a really nice touch to see him walk into the stadium, leading the Irish team.
Rory McIlroy - Golf:
More the X-Factor choice than anything else. He would generate a lot of attention and maybe help raise the public interest in the Games. Also, he received a lot of criticism for right or for wrong after the last Olympic campaign where he pulled out before the Games and later said he would not be watching much of the Olympics. I guess you can say he has matured a lot but I think this would be a very controversial choice nonetheless. However, it would be inspiring for some of the young athletes in particular to be marching behind on the same team as one of the big sporting icons.
Judy Reynolds - Dressage:
Judy has raised the profile of Irish dressage which has been almost non-existant or on the margins for most of our history. Along with Vancouver K, she has put Ireland on the map in dressage, finishing in 4th place at the World Cup Finals in 2017 and would be deserving of the honour of flying the Irish flag in Tokyo.
Kellie Harrington - Boxing:
2018 World champion in women's lightweight division. For so many years she has been in the shadow of Ireland's great heroine, Katie Taylor. She is coming into her own at last and as a heroine of the working class Dublin community and demonstrating the potential of sport to change lives, it would be a worthy choice to have Kellie as the flagbearer.
My choice. I am really torn, I would love Natalya to be given the honour as she has been a magnificent servant of Irish sport over the years, not always getting the recognition she deserves, competing in a minor sport such as Modern Pentathlon. However, my pick goes to the young and charismatic gymnast, Rhys McClenaghan. He is our first-ever world-class gymnast and a huge inspiration for the next generation of up and coming Irish gymnasts. And I can imagine the pride in his face when walking into the stadium and I think it would be a really nice moment for someone so young, yet sure of his abilities.