Canada has officially revealed the two athletes who will carry the nation’s flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. The honour goes to freestyle skiing icons Mikaël Kingsbury and Marielle Thompson, two of the country’s most decorated Winter Olympians.
The announcement was widely expected, with both athletes enjoying remarkable Olympic careers spanning more than a decade. According to CBC Olympics, “They will march with their freestyle skiing and snowboard teammates in Livigno, with the parade of nations also being held in Milan’s San Siro Stadium and the mountain clusters of Cortina and Predazzo simultaneously in the most spread out Games in Olympic history.” The unique format means the Opening Ceremony will take place across several venues, making Milano Cortina 2026 unlike any Winter Olympics before it.
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For Mikaël Kingsbury, the honour adds another important moment to an amazing career. The 33-year-old is known as the best moguls skier ever and one of the most successful freestyle skiers in the sport’s history. He won silver medals at Sochi 2014 and Beijing 2022, before winning gold at PyeongChang 2018. Milano Cortina 2026 is expected to be his last Olympic Games, making the chance to lead Team Canada even more special.
Marielle Thompson has had an equally impressive Olympic career over the last three Winter Games. The 33-year-old won gold in the women’s ski cross at Sochi 2014 and added a silver medal at Beijing 2022. Although she just missed winning a medal at PyeongChang 2018, her performance was even more impressive, as she competed only 4 months after surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL, showing the strength and determination that have shaped her career.

Reflecting on being selected as one of Canada’s flag bearers, Thompson said, “Being asked to carry the Canadian flag is one of the highest honours in my Olympic journey. There are so many amazing athletes to select from, so to be chosen is really kind of unbelievable, but just very special. Mikaël and I have been to each Olympics together, and we’re the same age, so we’ve kind of come up together in this sport. I think we’ve definitely got some camaraderie, and it’s very cool to be sharing this honour together.”
With two Olympic champions leading the delegation, Team Canada will enter Milano Cortina 2026 represented by athletes who have consistently delivered on the world’s biggest stage. Their shared experience, success and leadership make them fitting choices to carry the Maple Leaf as Canada begins another Winter Olympic campaign.
Fans won’t have to wait long to watch the historic moment unfold. Live coverage of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. PT / 1:30 p.m. ET and will be available on CBC, CBC Gem, CBC News Network, Sportsnet and TSN.
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