Both G4S 4teen sailor Juan Maegli (Guatemala) and BMX biker Mariana Pajón (Colombia) have been nominated to carry their nations’ respective flags in the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London.

Juan will lead the Guatemalan Olympic team into the stadium, while Mariana will carry the flag of the Colombian team on the 27th of July, in just under a months’ time.

Mariana was nominated by the Colombian Olympic Committee after a nationwide campaign in which Colombians voted to elect their nation’s flagbearer. “Thanks to Colombia for nominating me to carry their flag,” said Mariana. “I am really proud that I will be able to do this.”

It will be the second major competition in which Mariana will lead her team, after also being chosen to carry her country’s flag at the Pan American Games in October of last year.

Juan is equally excited about leading his team into the Olympic Stadium. “To be chosen to do this is a great honour,” He said. “I´ve always wanted to carry my flag, and I will be lucky enough to have the experience in London.”

It will be Juan’s second Olympic Games, having represented Guatemala in the 2008 Beijing Games. He has been supported by G4S since 2007 and is grateful for the support he has received from them:

“Without their support I wouldn’t have been able to train for the Beijing Olympic qualifiers, and without the experience of competing at the 2008 games I would not be as well prepared this time around.

“The chance to represent my country at the Olympics means a lot to me. It’s something I’ve worked really hard for during the last five years, and I can’t wait to begin competing.”