KATIE Taylor has backed the campaign to ensure Paddy Barnes is Ireland’s flag bearer at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Ironically Taylor remains favourite to be bestowed the massive honour and is the Belfast fighters main flag bearing rival.

The final decision as to who carries the tri colour and leads the team in the opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium will be made by Sonia O’Sullivan over the coming weeks.

Taylor’s father and coach Peter Taylor, however revealed the four time World champion hasn’t been contacted about carrying the flag and claimed they would love to see Barnes carrying the flag at the prestigious opening ceremony.

Taylor seems to respect the Holy Family ABC’s pugilists desire to carry the flag.

“We would love to see Paddy do it. Paddy’s kind of on a crusade. It’s an honour to carry the flag for anyone and everybody on the tea, is worthy of carrying the flag. But I think Paddy has such a passion about it, it would be nice to see it. It is once of a life time and you have got to enjoy every minute of the occasion,” Peter Taylor revealed.