Closing Ceremony Flag Bearer?

[CofR]

Who do we think it will be? My pick is Megan Oldham, I could see Courtney Sarault being an option. Other potential candidates?

2024 was I believe the first time we had two flag bearers at the closing ceremony (who weren’t teammates like Humphries and Moyes) so maybe they do that here.

[trackercowe]

Would you consider Crosby if Canada wins... Assuming these are his last games four gold medals would tie Hamelin for most gold medals by a male athlete. 4/4 in the biggest event at the games.

Correction, he'd have three gold medals. Still I think he could be one of the flag bearers.

[CofR]

Definitely a great option. Not sure of the logistics for an athlete competing on the same day as the closing ceremony and doing it. I think Sid is immune to that kind of pressure but that could add another storyline leading in to a potential final that Team Canada may want to avoid

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

While I love hockey and Crosby is an amazing representative for Canadian hockey, I sort of can't help but think that the Olympics should also be about celebrating the amazing athletes that never get any recognition outside of the two weeks every four years, allow them to have their moment as flag bearer. Sarault seems like a good choice just based on medal count.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Agreed. I thought it was kinda lame that several countries picked nhlers at the opening ceremonies. Let the actual amateurs have the limelight.

[powderjunkie]

Oldham for sure. My first thought was Crosby, but I agree it should be about the amateurs.

[getbak]

If the men's hockey team plays in the gold medal game, they won't likely even be at the closing ceremonies. The game starts less than 6 hours before the ceremonies, which are being held in Verona, over 150 km from Milan.

[calgarygeologist]

If it's not a hockey player I would give it to Courtney Sarault.

[browna]

I think it will be Sarault at this point.
She may still get another medal as well.

[Otto-matic]

MPP would be my pick

[EldrickOnIce]

An NHL hockey player should not even be considered, obviously.
Sarsult a great choice. Or Oldham. Or someone yet to emerge.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Otto-matic

MPP would be my pick

If Canada beats US in the final I think that makes sense. US is heavy favorites right now

[CofR]

MPP was the flag bearer for the Beijing Opening Ceremony, not sure if they’d give her the chance again even though she is deserving.

[Voodooman]

Let's remember the spirit of the Olympics and celebrate amateur athletes, not professionals who happen to play sports that are in the games. And before the "Yeah, but all athletes are pros now" arguments arrive, you know who I mean...basically hockey players and curlers who are recognizable media figures. Would you recognize the gold medalist in big air if she passed you on the street?

I don't even think it necessarily has to be a gold medal winner. Why not someone who did something amazing and ended up with an unexpected medal? Someone who this will be the cap for one of the best days of their life.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Voodooman

Let's remember the spirit of the Olympics and celebrate amateur athletes, not professionals who happen to play sports that are in the games. And before the "Yeah, but all athletes are pros now" arguments arrive, you know who I mean...basically hockey players and curlers who are recognizable media figures. Would you recognize the gold medalist in big air if she passed you on the street?

I don't even think it necessarily has to be a gold medal winner. Why not someone who did something amazing and ended up with an unexpected medal? Someone who this will be the cap for one of the best days of their life.

That's such a blurry line though, although I'm not sure why curlers are being lumped in as recognizable media figures. For example, look at the athletes who are part of the FIS and also compete in the X-Games. The X-Games have brought those athletes very significant fame in many cases and you can't really say those are not professional athletes.

[craigwd]

Originally Posted by CofR

Who do we think it will be? My pick is Megan Oldham, I could see Courtney Sarault being an option. Other potential candidates?

2024 was I believe the first time we had two flag bearers at the closing ceremony (who weren’t teammates like Humphries and Moyes) so maybe they do that here.

I believe, if it's possible, most NOCs are encouraged to have a male and female flag bearers at both ceremonies.

[dino7c]

I thought it was pretty lame when Drai did it for Germany. Imagine being a German athlete that has actually won something.

[browna]

Originally Posted by browna

I think it will be Sarault at this point.
She may still get another medal as well.

And…she did.

Not sure how you can’t go with someone who got 4 medals for the team and country this Olympics. Well spoken as well.

If they want a male as well, that’s a little more murky at this point but there’s still a few days for someone to step up.

[Strange Brew]

Marc Kennedy