The pair were elected by their fellow athletes from a shortlist drawn up by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB).

"The ten selected athletes are already winners by being nominated," DOSB President Alfons Hörmann said.

"The close result shows that each and every one of them would have deserved to carry the flag.

"Team Deutschland will gather behind our chosen flag-bearer duo on Friday (July 23) and start the Games with the all important team spirit. 

"Our team will once again be a good ambassador for Germany."

Ludwig won gold five years ago on the Copacabana with Kira Walkenhorst. 

In Tokyo she will compete in her fourth Olympics with new partner Margatita Kozuch.

The pair came together in 2019 and are set to begin their campaign on Saturday (July 24) against Switzerland.

Hausding, who won silver at Beijing 2008 in the synchronised platform and men’s springboard bronze in Rio is also set to compete in his fourth Games.

At the Tokyo 1964 Games, it was another diver, Ingrid Kramer from Dresden in East Germany who carried the flag. 

Although Germany was then divided into east and west, they competed at the Olympics under a unified flag decorated with the Olympic Rings.

The team of 429 in Tokyo this time will not include 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber.

She withdrew last week citing the need to rest.

In 2016 Kerber won Olympic silver weeks before lifting the US Open title.