The president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malago, called Egonu, 22, to tell her the good news as he arrived in the Japanese capital ahead of the Games.

“I am very honoured,” Egonu said after the announcement.

“I find myself representing athletes from all over the world and it is a big responsibility; I will represent every athlete on this planet.”

The news comes a day after Egonu scored 13 points in a friendly match against Brazil in Japan, in preparation for the Olympics, leading Italy to a 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-17, 25-22) win.

It will be the second Olympics for Egonu, who made her debut at the age of 17 at the Rio 2016 Games.

Friday’s opening ceremony begins at 8:00 pm local time.