Girls’s hockey captain Marie-Philip Poulin and short-track speedskating superstar Charles Hamelin might be Canada’s flag-bearers on the Opening Rite of the Beijing Olympics on Friday, the Canadian Olympic Committee introduced on Wednesday.
Charles Hamelin and Marie Philip-Poulin will lead #TeamCanada into the Opening Rite at #Beijing2022 @speedskater01 might be competing in his 5th Olympic Wintry weather Video games, whilst @pou29 will hit the ice for her fourth
Extra on Canada’s flag bearers: https://t.co/uybEo0VCzY percent.twitter.com/JhpfULI07U— Crew Canada (@TeamCanada) February 2, 2022
The 30-year-old Poulin, from Beauceville, Que., is competing in her fourth Olympics. She scored the game-winning targets in gold-medal contests in 2010 and 2014 earlier than profitable silver in 2018.
Our chief, our captain, our flag bearer for #Beijing2022.
@pou29 will lead #TeamCanada into the Opening Rite on Friday.
@TeamCanada percent.twitter.com/2yhLU7nBkW— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) February 2, 2022
“Being named flag-bearer, I think like I wish to pinch myself,” she mentioned. “I’ve been in a position to observe Charles over the past couple of many years and looking at him be triumphant, I can be very honoured to be strolling but even so Charles wearing the flag. While you watch the Opening Rite you spot the smile and the satisfaction within the folks protecting the flag. It’s exhausting to place into phrases however to now be the only with the smile on my face, it’s in reality an honour.”
The 37-year-old Hamelin, from Sainte-Julie, Que., is competing in his 5th Olympics. He has captured 5 Olympic medals, striking him one wanting the Canadian report of six, held through long-track speedskater Cindy Klassen.
What an honour! We are so proud that our very personal @Speedskater01 will elevate Canada’s flag into the #Beijing2022 opening rite.
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Quel honneur ! Nous sommes tellement fiers que notre @Speedskater01 portera le drapeau du Canada lors de los angeles cérémonie d’ouverture de #Pekin2022 percent.twitter.com/9Ny6qCMKH4— Pace Skating Canada | Patinage de Vitesse Canada (@SSC_PVC) February 2, 2022
“For the reason that first time I wore the Maple Leaf, I felt that feeling of circle of relatives instantly. Going into my 5th Olympic Video games, it’s in point of fact fantastic,” Hamelin mentioned. “For me, that circle of relatives is among the largest explanation why I’m nonetheless right here and why I like what I do. Each and every time I’d stroll into an Opening Rite, I’d have a look at the flag-bearer as a job fashion. To be named flag bearer is one thing I will be able to now take a look at off my to do listing. Marie-Philip is an out of this world athlete however greater than that, she’s an out of this world human. I see her as a pace-setter and an inspiration.”
Canadian chef de undertaking Catriona Le Might Doan and previous speedksater, who used to be Canada’s flag-bearer on the 2002 Salt Lake Town Olympics, made the announcement on Wednesday.
“Sporting the Canadian flag is this sort of privilege and an honour. I nonetheless bear in mind being requested to be Crew Canada’s flag-bearer at two Olympic Video games so it’s in reality particular so as to percentage this second with Charles and Marie-Philip. They have been selected no longer only for their exceptional achievements, however for his or her management off and on the ice and the way they’ve carried themselves with the successes and struggles of the previous two years. They’re fantastic athletes and leaders who’ve and proceed to constitute the country so neatly — an excellent option to constitute this resilient delegation.”
Determine skaters Tessa Distinctive feature and Scott Moir have been Canadian flag-bearers on the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and went directly to win gold.
Hockey superstar Hayley Wickenheiser additionally gained gold after wearing the flag in 2014 in Sochi. Wickenheiser changed into the second one girls’s hockey participant to be named flag-bearer, 8 years after Danielle Goyette did so in Turin earlier than taking gold.
Hamelin is the second one short-track speed-skater to be Canadian flag-bearer. Sylvie Daigle were given the glory after which gained gold in a group relay.
Poulin performs her first recreation at this Olympics on Thursday (Wednesday, 11:10 p.m. ET) when Canada faces Switzerland.
The quick-track pageant starts on Saturday.
