Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham named Australia’s flag bearers for Olympic Opening Ceremony

3 weeks ago 10

Livigno: Mogul skiers Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham will be the Australian flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.

Australian chef de mission Alisa Camplin announced the appointment at a ceremony in Livigno – the location of the freestyle skiing and snowboard events for the Games – on Wednesday morning (Wednesday night AEDT).

Jakara Anthony and Matt Graham in Livigno.

Anthony, the reigning Olympic champion, said she was stunned when Camplin told her she would carry the flag in Livigno.

“I’m still pretty lost for words over it,” Anthony said.

“Thinking back, growing up and seeing all the flag-bearers that we’ve had before for Australia, summer and Winter [Olympics], and to now get to stand alongside them and have that honour, it’s pretty mind-blowing to be honest.”

Defending Olympic champion Jakara Anthony.

Camplin said Anthony was an obvious choice to carry the flag for the ceremony on Friday night in Italy, which gets under way at 6am on Saturday morning in Australia.

“Jakara Anthony is the epitome of poise and excellence,” Camplin said. “Her measured, yet dogged pursuit of perfection has set her apart from her competitors for an entire Olympiad.”

Anthony will attempt to be the first Australian to defend a Winter Olympics gold medal when she begins her 2026 Olympic campaign on February 10.

“There are athletes in our team who saw Jakara win gold in Beijing, and it sparked their Olympic dreams – and there will be many more,” Camplin said.

“Jakara is in a league of her own: role model, Olympic champion and a young Australian who sets her sights on something and doesn’t give up. I am so proud to name her flag-bearer.”

Anthony arrives in Livigno as the world No.1 following an outstanding world cup season.

Graham was a silver medallist at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang and is competing at his fourth, and likely last, Olympics.

“It’s a massive honour. Representing Australia at an Olympic Games is an honour in itself, and to now have the privilege to lead out on paper what is probably the best team in the history of Australia at the Winter Olympics is very special,” Graham said.

Camplin said Graham deserved the appointment after all he had done for the Australian team over the years.

“He has done it all: the hungry debutant in Sochi, the silver medallist in PyeongChang and an injury comeback for Beijing. On paper, that’s more than enough to become  flag-bearer,” Camplin said.

“But what I love about Matt is how he always lifts the team and carries the Aussie spirit when he competes. He deservedly carries the Australian flag into the Milano Cortina opening ceremony.”

Graham’s Olympic campaign begins on February 10 in the men’s moguls qualifying.

The first Australian in action will be 18-year-old Daisy Thomas, who makes her Olympic debut when she competes in the women’s freeski slopestyle qualifying on Saturday.

No other Australians will be defending an Olympic gold in Milano Cortina, although veteran snowboarder Scotty James is looking to complete the set of medals with gold in 2026.

James is competing at his fifth Olympic Games, and won bronze in 2018 and silver in 2022.

More to come

The Winter Olympic Games will be broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.

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