Ski Cross star given flag-bearer honour in Gangwon
Published Fri 19 Jan 2024
Ski Cross athlete Duncan Cowan and Ice Hockey team captain Tara Baker will lead the Australian Team as Flag Bearers for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (WYOG) Opening Ceremony, tonight.
The Opening Ceremony will signal the start of the 14-day competition, where 1900 athletes from over 70 nations will compete across 15 winter disciplines.
Fifteen-year-old Tara and 17-year-old Duncan's appointment as the first Australian dual Flag Bearers at a Youth Olympic Games not only marks a significant milestone, but also symbolises the depth of the Winter Youth Olympic Games, encompassing both ice and snow sports, individual and team sports.
Chef de Mission of the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games Team Ramone Cooper congratulated the two athletes on their appointment.
"In the selection of our flagbearers, we carefully consider individuals who embody the values of our team and exhibit leadership qualities both on and off the field of play," Mr. Cooper said.
"Duncan and Tara are not only remarkably skilled athletes but are passionate advocates for their respective sports. Their dedication to excellence, respect for others, and the spirit of friendship perfectly align with the Olympic and Australian Team values.
“This is our largest ever team, with Australian athletes representing across the most sports and across the most venues in our Winter Youth Olympic Games history.
“Congratulations to Duncan and Tara, their family, friends and national federations on this incredible achievement. I look forward to seeing them lead our 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Team into the stadium tonight.”
Duncan said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the team at tonight’s Opening Ceremony.
“I was so excited when Ramone told me I had been selected as the Opening Ceremony Flag Bearer,” Duncan said.
“Just to represent my country at a Youth Olympic Games was already such an incredible opportunity, to then find out I was going to be the Flag Bearer just makes the experience that much more amazing,” he continued.
“I am really grateful to the Australian Team for selecting me, and I would also like to thank my entire family for all of their support. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them.”
