The 28-year-old former world champion will become the third woman to carry out the prestigious role after speedskater Martina Sáblíková - who carried the Czech flag at Turin 2006, and kayaker Štěpánka Hilgertová - who lead the country at the Beijing 2008 Games Ceremony.

"I would like to thank all members of the athletes' commission who showed their confidence in me and so expressed unequivocal support," Strachová said.

"Being the Flagbearer of the Czech team for me is really a great honour and joy."

The announcement of Strachová's role came as Czech Olympic Committee (ČOV) spokesman Alexander Kliment revealed that the nation would be represented by 83 athletes at this year's Winter Olympics, which get underway on February 7.

The list of athletes includes a 25-strong men's ice hockey team, three figure skaters, four speed skaters, nine cross country skiers, seven alpine skiers, six freestyle skiers, five ski jumpers, four Nordic combined skiers, four lugers, ten biathletes and six snowboarders.

Tomáš Verner has been named on the Czech Republic team heading to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics ©AFP/Getty Images


Among those nominated to the team are figure skaters Tomáš Verner - the 2008 men's singles European champion - and 2013 European bronze medallist Michal Březina.

Meanwhile, Vancouver 2010 competitor Ondřej Hyman, and Turin 2006 pair Antonín Brož and Lukáš Brož will compete for the nation in luge.

The nation's curlers did not qualify for Sochi 2014.

More athletes could still be added to the list, with final nominations going through on January 16.

The first group of Czech athletes will fly to Sochi on January 30.

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