ROME — Two-time Olympic luge champion Armin Zoeggeler was selected on Tuesday to carry Italy's flag at the opening ceremony of the Sochi Games in February.

Zoeggeler has won five Olympic medals at the last five Olympics, including gold in luge singles in 2002 and 2006. He has also won six world titles. He will turn 40 a month before the Sochi Games.

"He's the greatest athlete of all time in his sport," Italian Olympic Committee president Giovanni Malago said. "I'm very pleased with this choice."

Zoeggeler was Italy's flag bearer at the closing ceremony for the 2006 Turin Games.

The Sochi Games open on Feb. 7 in the Russian Black Sea resort.

Meanwhile, Malago said he's in "not in any hurry" to formalize Rome's expected selection as Italy's candidate to host the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Milan has also expressed interest in a 2024 bid but Malago announced last week there will be no vote to determine which city CONI puts forward.