(Paris) The Canadian Olympic Committee announced Wednesday that weightlifter Maude Charron and sprinter Andre De Grasse will be Canada’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on Friday.
They succeed Miranda Ayim and Nathan Hirayama, who were Canada’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Damian Warner was then flag bearer during the closing ceremony.
Charron won gold at the Tokyo Games in the 64 kilograms, a category that has since been eliminated by the International Olympic Committee.
The Rimouskoise will therefore participate in the Paris Games in the under 59 kg category.
For his part, Andre De Grasse is the most decorated Canadian male athlete in the history of the Summer Games with six medals.
PHOTO CHRISTINNE MUSCHI, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Andre De Grasse won gold in the 200 metres, silver in the 4x100m relay and bronze in the 100m at the Tokyo Games.
The Ontarian won gold at the Tokyo Games in the 200 metres, silver in the 4×100 m relay and bronze in the 100 m. De Grasse had also won three medals five years earlier at the Rio Games in 2016.
De Grasse has struggled with injuries since the Tokyo Games but will hope to shine again on international sport’s biggest stage in Paris.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics will take place this Friday. Contrary to tradition, the athletes will not parade in a stadium, but rather on boats along the Seine.