3 out Olympians are flag bearers for Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, including USA
Out LGBTQ athletes will carry the flags for 3 nations in the Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, including Hilary Knight for Team USA. The post 3 out Olympians are flag bearers for Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, including USA appeared first on Outsports.
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For a Winter Olympics that saw a historic number of out LGBTQ athletes who brought home double-digit medals, it’s only appropriate that Team LGBTQ be represented during the Closing Ceremony for the Milan Games on Sunday.
Multiple out Olympians will represent their nations as flag bearers during the ceremony, highlighted by U.S. women’s hockey gold medalist Hilary Knight.
Knight found out she was named to the role live during a segment on NBC’s “Today” on Friday, one day after her American Olympic record-breaking 15th career goal sent the gold medal game to overtime.
Flanked by her cheering teammates, Knight let a stunned “Are you serious?” escape through her beaming smile as she learned the news. “I’m filled with so much joy to be able to lead out Team USA alongside Evan [Bates],” Knight said later in the broadcast. “It’s such an incredible honor and I can’t wait. It’s a dream come true.
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“To be an Olympian is a dream come true, and to realize your dreams with so many other fellow Olympians, it’s super special. The Team USA delegation — I’m at a loss for words because it is a one of one. It’s such a magical moment to walk out with Team USA.”
Being named flag bearer tops off a dream potential final Olympic Games for the five-time Olympian after helping lead Team USA to its third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey and proposing to her partner, Olympic bronze medalist speed skater Brittany Bowe.
Fellow out Olympian Martina Sablikova, a three-time gold medalist speed skater for Czechia competing in her final Olympic Games in Milan, was chosen to lead her home nation’s delegation as flag bearer during Sunday’s Olympic capper.
(@olympijskytym)The honor represents a full circle moment for the most decorated speed skater in Czech history. Sablikova was a flag bearer during the Opening Ceremony at her first Winter Olympics in Turin 20 years ago.
Her final moment as an active Olympian will be carrying that same flag ahead of teammates to close both her and the Winter Olympics return to Italy alongside 19-year-old emerging Czech speed skater talent and winner of a gold and silver medal in Milan, Metodej Jilek.
Out Belgian speed skater Tineke den Dulk also earned the honor in her first Winter Olympic appearance. The 28-year-old delivered a bronze medal for Team Belgium in the mixed team relay, the only medal the nation earned during the Milan Games.
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The post 3 out Olympians are flag bearers for Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, including USA appeared first on Outsports.
