Panama's Olympic Committee (COP) on Tuesday announced the election of long jumper Irving Saladino as the Panamanian delegation's standard-bearer in the London Olympics' opening ceremony.

In a statement, COP said the decision was taken in a meeting of its board of directors, during a course for handball coaches sponsored by "Solidaridad Olimpica."

Via Twitter, Saladino said the decision represents a great honor for him.

"Although this changes my training schedule, flag is the first," added Saladino, who won gold medal in Osaka 2007 world championship and silver-medal in Moscow 2006 world indoor championship.

COP added that if Saladino can't attend due to his training schedule, he will be replaced by 200-meter sprinter Alonso Edward, world silver medalist.

Saladino, who won the first gold medal in Olympic Games for Panama at the Beijing Olympics, and Edward, were directly qualified for the London 2012, according to COP.

A total of seven Panamanian athletes will take part in the Olympic Games, in sports like athletics (3), taekwondo (1), judo (1), boxing (1) and swimming (1).