History-making Kookaburra Eddie Ockenden has been endorsed as a prime fit to carry the flag at the Olympics opening ceremony.
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Australia's flag bearers for Friday's event on the River Seine will be announced on Wednesday.
A male and female will share the duties in Paris, just as Patty Mills and Cate Campbell did in Tokyo three years ago.
NBA superstar LeBron James has already been announced as the United States' selection while Giannis Antetokounmpo will have the honour after piloting Greece's basketball team back to the big stage.
Champion whitewater paddler Jessica Fox is a front-runner for the honour while Ockenden, set to be the first Australian hockey player to play five Games, is another.
The modest Tasmanian has already amassed more than 400 Tests and could finish his career as the most-capped Australian in any sport.
Olympic gold has eluded him, silver in a shootout loss in Tokyo not deterring the 37-year-old from pushing on to Paris.
Australian chef de mission Anna Meares will have a big say in the decision and has stressed "longevity, achievement, character, humility, ability to connect and their contribution to Olympic sport" were her criteria.
"I love Eddie, he's one of my best mates," Kookaburras captain Aran Zalewski said.
"He's an amazing guy, so humble ... a champion of Australian sport and an inspiration to so many the way he's gone about it.
"Generally people will just say how nice of a guy he is and not talk about his hockey career ... I really hope he gets to carry the flag.
"He represents so much more than himself. He's got my vote."
Ockenden was thrust into the squad two years after the Kookaburra's lone Games gold in Athens, 20 years ago.
A hero of that night, Jamie Dwyer enjoyed a long career crossover with Ockenden.
"I roomed with him when we lost in 2012. We went for a walk and both of us were pretty devastated to lose the semi ... and that was 12 years ago," Dwyer told AAP.
"To stay mentally involved it's pretty hard with three kids, a Dutch partner, no family in Perth (where the Kookaburras are based).
"It's so hard to find a balance: train, put in the effort. Do you stick around with the boys or go home and take the kids to school?
"If you're in AFL or cricket you're earning millions of dollars as one of the best players, and in AFL you're not even leaving the country.
"More than anyone he deserves it (a gold medal)."
Australian Associated Press
