European 200m breaststroke champion Lyubomir Epitropov replaces his teammate Petar Mitsin as the flag bearer of the Bulgarian delegation during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris on July 26, the Bulgarian Olympic Committee has reported.

The general assembly of the committee had approved Mitsin and boxer Stanimira Petrova to carry the national flag, but due to the parade of nations that continues for many hours, a decision was made to preserve the swimmer on the day before his start in the 400m freestyle competition. Bulgaria will be represented at the Olympics by 45 athletes in 16 sports.