The Canadian Olympic Committee has picked a couple of gold medal winners to be flag-bearers at Friday’s opening ceremony for the Paris Games.
Sprinter Andre De Grasse and weightlifter Maude Charron were named for the honour on Wednesday.
De Grasse, from Markham, Ont., has won six Olympic medals, including gold in the men’s 200 metres at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Charron, from Rimouski, Que., captured gold in the women’s 64-kg division in Tokyo in her Olympic debut.
The ceremony will see athletes paraded in boats along the Seine river.
“The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony will be one-of-a-kind and Canada will be led by two athletes that personify our nation,” said Canadian chef-de-mission Bruny Surin. “As Olympic champions, Maude and Andre were chosen not only for their amazing achievements but also for the inspirations they continue to be for all Canadians. It will be an unforgettable moment that I can’t wait to experience along with them.”
Charron will compete in the 59-kg division this year after her previous event was eliminated from the Olympic program.
Charron said she ran with the Olympic torch in her hometown prior to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
“Fourteen years ago, I was running with the Olympic torch in the streets of Rimouski and I believed it was the closest I would get to Olympism in my life. Today I’m learning I will be a co-flag bearer for our country I’ve represented with honour for the last 10 years,” said Charron. “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.”
De Grasse is Canada’s most decorated male Olympian.
“I’m speechless – I’ve been trying to get the words out,” said De Grasse. “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. So thank you. Thank you to everybody that has been part of giving me that opportunity. I look forward to representing the country to my highest capability.”
Charron is the first weightlifter to get the honour for Canada. De Grasse is the first track and field athlete since Charmaine Crooks in 1996.