Gold medal sprinter Andre De Grasse and weightlifting champion Maude Charron will carry the Canadian flag as they lead Team Canada into the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Games in France July 26.
Mr. De Grasse, a six-time Olympic medallist from Markham, Ont., and gold medallist Ms. Charron of Rimouski, Que., will carry the flag in a six-kilometre boat procession along the River Seine in Paris, the Canadian Olympic Committee announced July 24.
It is the first time in Olympic history that the opening ceremonies will not take place in a stadium. Instead, Mr. De Grasse and Ms. Charron will bear the Canadian flag on a barge that will also hold roughly 100 of Canada’s 316 athletes and 22 alternates.
Nearly 100 boats will ferry an estimated 10,500 athletes from more than 200 countries along the river to an area across from the Eiffel Tower, where the Olympic cauldron will be lit.
While both Mr. De Grasse, 29, and the 31-year-old Ms. Charron are Olympic veterans, this will be the first opening ceremony for both of them. With their athletic events generally taking place in the latter half of the Games, neither athlete has ever arrived at the Olympic Village ahead of the kickoff.
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For Mr. De Grasse, being a flag bearer is “a dream come true.”
“It’s definitely overwhelming, but I’m really pumped up and I’m really excited to try to take that on for the country and bring it home for Team Canada,” Mr. De Grasse said in the press release. “I look forward to representing the country to my highest capability.”
Learning she would be a co-flag bearer was an emotional moment for Ms. Charron, the press release said.
“I can’t believe I’m the one leading the team. It’s a big deal here,” she said, pointing to her heart. “Words are not enough to express my gratitude and the joy I feel to be chosen to lead the way for this extraordinary and talent-filled team.”
Olympic Prowess
Paris 2024 marks the third Olympic Games for Mr. De Grasse, Canada’s most decorated male summer Olympian.
He received his first gold medal in Tokyo in 2020 when he won the men’s 200 metre. He also picked up another bronze in the men’s 100 metre as well as a silver with the 100 metre relay team.
He will compete in the 100 metre, 200 metre, and 100 metre relay again this year. If Mr. De Grasse reaches the final in all three events, he will race for the gold in the 100 metre on Aug. 4, the 200 metre on Aug. 8 and the relay on Aug. 9.
She will go for gold again, this time in the 59 kilogram weight class on Aug. 8.
The opening ceremonies are scheduled for July 26 at 7:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. ET).
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
