Cross-country skier Tucker Murphy will carry Bermuda's flag at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on Friday.

But Bermuda skeleton slider Patrick Singleton will not be joining him.

Bermuda Olympic Association (BOA) president Judy Simons confirmed yesterday their plea to the International Skeleton Federation (ISF) for Singleton to be invited to the Winter Games had sadly been unsuccessful.

Singleton did not qualify for the Olympics but had hoped to be included after an athlete withdrew from the skeleton competition.

It would have been Singleton's fourth appearance at the Winter Olympics.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette yesterday prior to hearing his bad news, Singleton said he was desperate to make the Winter Games and do his country proud.

"I missed out on making the top 60 by just three days and I feel like I have done the necessary hard work to make the Winter Olympics.

"It is very frustrating and I know that time is running out for me.

"I am desperate to compete and feel ready– I know I would do my country proud.

"Either way I want to thank everyone who has supported, especially my sponsors.

"If I do not make it I know Tucker will do the business for us."

Singleton, Bermuda's most decorated Winter Olympian, had to be ranked in the top 60 as of January 17, but he was 71st.

He has since moved up to 57th.

Yesterday the BOA officially announced that Murphy would represent the Island at the Games in the Men's 15K Free Individual Start cross-country ski event.

The former Saltus Grammar School pupil will make his Games debut next Monday at the Whistler Olympic Park where his event is being held.

BOA president, Simons, congratulated Murphy "on his significant achievements" and wished him well for the Games.

"He has already done us proud and we wish him the very best in his competition," she said.

"We are pleased to have played a part in his journey to success."

The 28-year-old has spent the winter preparing for the Games in Montana, Vermont and Quebec and will be accompanied to Vancouver by Chef de Mission Carol Bromby, team manager Michael Murphy and his Argentinean coach Martin Bianchi.

Murphy reached the Olympic qualifying standard in Europe last March while competing in a series of events, including the 2009 World Championships at Liberec in the Czech Republic.

The Bermuda Rhodes Scholar first learned to ski at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire and later began his racing career at Dartmouth College.

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver will be the sixth in which Bermuda will participate.