Pau Gasol will carry Spain's flag at London 2012

Pau Gasol will carry Spain's flag in the opening ceremony at the London Olympics next week, the Spanish Olympic Committee said Friday.

The Lakers basketball player replaced tennis star Rafael Nadal, who announced Thursday he was pulling out of the London Games because of physical problems.

Los Angeles Lakers centre Gasol is one of the country’s most recognised sportsmen and helped Spain win silver in Beijing four years ago, when they lost in the final to the United States.